Impact of oral health education on oral hygiene knowledge, practices, plaque control and gingival health of 13- to 15-year-old school children in Bangalore city

Objectives To assess effectiveness of an oral health education (OHE) programme on oral hygiene knowledge, practices, plaque control and gingival health of 13‐ to 15‐year‐old school children in Bangalore city. Methods Three schools were randomly selected and assigned to experimental I, experimental II and control groups. At baseline, a 20‐item questionnaire was used to assess the oral hygiene knowledge and practices. Clinical examinations (Turesky–Gilmore–Glickman modification of Quigley Hein plaque index; Loe–Silness gingival index) were performed by 2 examiners. OHE was provided by the investigator for experimental groups I (lecture using a PowerPoint presentation) and II (lecture using a PowerPoint presentation with toothbrushing demonstration). Control group did not receive any intervention. Reinforcement was provided for experimental groups at 3 and 6 months. At end of 9 months, questionnaire was administered and clinical examinations were performed. Data were analysed using chi‐square, anova and post hoc Tukey's tests. Results Nine months post‐intervention, there was significant improvement in oral hygiene knowledge and practices in experimental groups. There were significant reductions in mean plaque index and gingival index scores in the experimental groups. The control group did not show any significant improvement. Conclusion Active involvement of school children with reinforcement of OHE can improve oral hygiene knowledge, practices and gingival health and decrease plaque levels.