Impact evaluation of a school-based oral health program: Kuwait National Program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• School-based oral health prevention programs (SOHP) aim to improve children's dental health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).
• The impact of SOHP on children's oral health outcomes and mothers' oral health knowledge, attitudes, practices, and OHRQoL requires further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the relationship between enrollment in a school-based oral health prevention program and children's dental health status and OHRQoL.
• To evaluate the effect of SOHP on mothers' oral health knowledge, attitude, practice, and OHRQoL.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 440 primary school children (11-12 years) and their mothers in Kuwait Capital.
• Participants were divided into SOHP (≥3 years enrollment, fluoride varnish, fissure sealants, oral health education) and non-SOHP groups.
• Dental caries assessed using DMFT/dmft and DMFS/dmfs indices; children's OHRQoL via CPQ11-14; mothers' OH knowledge, attitude, practice, and OHRQoL assessed via questionnaires.

Main Results:

• SOHP children exhibited significantly lower caries experience (DMFT/dmft: 2.35 vs 3.56; DMFS/dmfs: 4.41 vs 7.24; p<0.001).
• SOHP children had a higher number of sealed and restored teeth.
• No significant differences were observed in children's OHRQoL (CPQ11-14 scores) or mothers' oral health knowledge, attitude, practices, or OHRQoL between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Enrollment in SOHP demonstrated a significant positive effect on reducing children's dental caries.
• The school-based oral health prevention program did not yield significant improvements in mothers' oral health knowledge, attitudes, practices, or OHRQoL.
• SOHP is effective in improving children's dental health but may require additional strategies to influence maternal oral health behaviors and knowledge.