The effectiveness of a school-based oral health education program--a pilot study

The aim of this study was to determine the short term effectiveness of an oral health education (OHE) program on a group of coloured school children. The variables measured were the level of oral hygiene and the knowledge of oral health care. All Sub A, B and Std. 1 pupils at the Levana Primary School in Retreat took part in the pilot study. A representative sample, stratified by sex, was randomly drawn from each class. Oral hygiene levels were measured by means of the Debris Index-Simplified (Greene and Vermillion, 1964). Additionally, all pupils were exposed to a set of questions to determine their level of knowledge of oral health care. Assessments were carried out before intervention (baseline) and at 1 and 3 month intervals (post-course 1 and 2). The results of this study indicate that the OHE program is effective in meeting the basic requirements within the school framework. Recommendations are made to improve the current OHE program. The evaluation of the impact of the OHE program has provided a basis for further longterm investigation and systematic planning.