The effectiveness of oral health education programme for Chinese schoolchildren

Objective: to evaluate the effect of an oral health education programme for Chinese schoolchildren in the rural area. Methods: The WHO Oral Health Education (OHE) and Affordable Fluoride Toothpastes (AFT) Project was applied to 12-year schoolchildren in 1 experimental and 1 control schools in Deyang, Sichuan province. All of the children had a clinical examination according to the criteria of the WHO and responded to a questionnaire on dental health behavior, knowledge and attitude. Results: The results showed the oral health status were improved in the experimental group compared with control group after 1 year period programme (P<0.05). The behavior of ‘brushing teeth 2 or more times a day' in experimental group were improved 56.1%, whereas control group were improved 2.2% (P<0.05). The attitude towards ‘Using fluoridated toothpaste is a good way of preventing tooth decay' in experimental group were improved 26.4%, whereas control group were improved 3.5% (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggested that school based OHE combined the use of AFT should be expanded for the Chinese schoolchildren in the rural area.