Effectiveness of an Interactive School-Based Oral Health Educational Program on Periodontal Status Among Palestinian...

Background & Objectives: Periodontal disease is a common but preventable condition characterised by chronic inflammation of the periodontium caused by microbial infection. School-based oral health education can promote healthy behaviours and enhance periodontal health. This study was to assess the effects of an interactive oral educational program on periodontal status, oral hygiene, and related behaviours among 9th-grade students in Nablus City. Method: A pre-test/post-test experimental design was conducted from 2023 to 2024 in governmental and private schools. A stratified random sampling procedure selected 536 students for the intervention group and 410 for the control group. Baseline and two-month follow-up data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire and clinical examinations using the Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs (CPITN) and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (S-OHI). Statistical analysis (chi-square test; paired and independent t-tests) was performed with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: At follow-up, the intervention group showed significant reductions in CPITN (from 10.99 ± 2.77 to 10.00 ± 2.64; p < 0.001) and S-OHI (from 12.90 ± 3.10 to 10.89 ± 2.78; p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and smoking behaviour scores (all p < 0.001). No significant changes occurred in the control group. Conclusions: The interactive, school-based oral health education program effectively improved periodontal health, oral hygiene status, and related behaviours among adolescents.