title: Evaluation of an educational activity in the oral health of students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the influence of educational activity in the school environment based on prescriptive and subjective oral health indicators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, comparative study involving students between 9 and 12 years of age, from schools that have educational activities and those that do not, designated schools A and B. The oral health indicators used were the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and the Community Periodontal Index (CPITN). Knowledge and attitudes with regard to oral health were evaluated using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 289 schoolchildren took part, 50.5% from school A and 49.5% from school B, in the town of Montes Claros, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. In school A, the schoolchildren's OHI-S was satisfactory for 9.6%, normal for 78.8% and deficient for 11.6%, while in school B, the respective percentages were 3.5%, 17.5% and 79% (chi-squared, P < 0.001). The students in school A showed better CPITN results, namely lack of bleeding for 61.6%, the presence of bleeding for 29.5% and presence of tartar for 8.9%, while in school B, the respective results were 25.2%, 45.5% and 29.4% (chi-squared, P < 0.001). Students in school A achieved more correct answers in questions that evaluated knowledge of oral health. The account of daily use of dental floss in school A was 21.7% and in B, 3.6% (chi-squared, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is believed that educational activity in the school environment had a positive effect on oral health conditions, the consolidation of knowledge and incorporation of oral hygiene habits.
authors.affiliation: São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry and Research Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vj de A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry at the Montes Claros State University, UNIMONTES, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Hermínio Ometto University Center (UNIARARAS), Araras, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zanin
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry and Research Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Flório
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: behaviour modification; dental health education; gingivitis; health promotion; oral health; oral health in schools; oral hygiene