Effectiveness of supervised toothbrushing and oral health education in improving oral hygiene status and practices of urban and rural school children: A comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the oral health status and the impact of supervised toothbrushing and oral health education among school children of urban and rural areas of Maharashtra, India.


METHODS
A total of 200 school children in the age group 12-15 years were selected by stratified random sampling technique from two schools and were further divided into two groups: Group A (urban school) and Group B (rural school). Both the groups were again subdivided into control group and study group. Supervised toothbrushing was recommended for both the groups. The toothbrushing teaching program included session on oral health education, individual toothbrushing instructions, and supervised toothbrushing. Dental caries increment, plaque scores, and gingival status were assessed as per the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (1997), Turesky-Gilmore-Glickman modification of the Quigley Hein Plaque Index, and Loe-Silness Gingival Index (1963), respectively. Cronbach's alpha, Chi-square test, paired t-test, and unpaired t-test were utilized for data analysis.


RESULTS
The mean plaque and gingival score reduction was significantly higher in the study groups as compared to the control groups. An increase in the mean of Decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) and Decayed, missing, filled teeth and surfaces (DMFS) scores throughout the study period was seen in children who participated in study.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral health education was effective in establishing good oral health habits among school children and also in enhancing the knowledge of their parents about good oral health.
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Haryana, India.
Satyawan G
SG
Damle
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Anil
A
Patil
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Haryana, India.
Saru
S
Jain
Department of Orthodontics, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Haryana, India.
Dhanashree
D
Damle
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Haryana, India.
Nilika
N
Chopal
Dental caries; dental health education; oral hygiene status; school children; toothbrushing