Can school-based oral health education and a sugar-free chewing gum program improve oral health? Results from a two-year study in PR China.
The purpose of the study was to assess the outcome of school-based oral health education (OHE) and a sugar-free chewing gum program on the oral health status of children in terms of reduced caries increment and gingival bleeding over a period of 2 years. Nine primary schools randomly chosen from one district were divided into three groups: OHE group (Group E), sugar-free chewing gum in addition to OHE group (Group G), and the control group (Group C). All children of grade 1 (aged 6-7 years) were recruited (n = 1342). After 2 years, 1143 children remained in the study group at follow-up. The overall drop-out rate was about 15%. Data on dental caries and gingival bleeding were collected by clinical examination. The results showed that the mean increment of DMFS in Group G was 42% lower than in groups E and C (P < 0.05). The mean increments in F-S were higher in Groups G and E than in Group C (P < 0.01). The gingival bleeding scores were statistically significant among the three groups. Compared to Group C, the mean increment in bleeding scores of Group G was 71% lower (P < 0.01) and in Group E 42% lower (P < 0.05). The school-based OHE programs had some positive effect improving children's oral hygiene; in certain circumstances children may benefit from using polyol-containing chewing gum in terms of reduced dental caries.
Peng
Bin
B
Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China. phs301@vip.163.com
Petersen
Poul Erik
PE
Bian
Zhuan
Z
Tai
Baojun
B
Jiang
Han
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002638:Chewing Gum; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012571:School Dentistry; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014993:Xylitol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013012:Sorbitol; D014993:Xylitol