Evaluation of Various Oral Hygiene Instruction Methods on Effectiveness of Tooth-brushing in Primary School Children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate various oral hygiene instruction methods on effectiveness of tooth-brushing in primary school children. This study was performed in three randomized primary schools (Baka-5, Baka-12, Baka-7; similar in socioeconomic and schooling condition) of Pyigyitagon Township, Mandalay. A baseline data collection (involving plaque score and gingival score) was done for 150 children (age 5 years±6 months) from three schools. They were divided into three groups (Group 1=50, Group 2=50, Group 3=50) from each school. Group 1 was given oral hygiene instruction by audiovisual (multimedia) methods and supervised tooth-brushing by an adult involved in front of mirror. Group 2 was given oral hygiene instruction by using cartoon flip charts and artificial giant tooth-brushing model (TBM). Group 3 got oral hygiene instruction verbally with the use of educational posters conventionally. All three groups were given additional oral hygiene instruction in similar manner, respectively, once per month two times. After 2 months of giving different oral hygiene instructions, the plaque scores and gingival scores were recollected from all groups and compared with baseline data. This study demonstrated that oral hygiene instruction by audiovisual methods and supervised tooth-brushing by an adult involved in front of mirror had greater effectiveness of adopting correct tooth-brushing (p<0.05, ANOVA) and reducing dental plaque and gingival scores in primary school children. Young children can learn and applied health education instructions effectively by using understandable educational cartoon videos than other conventional methods used for adults. Necessity of supervision by guiding the correct tooth-brushing with a feedback showing in a mirror should be noted.