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Oral Health Promotion Among Students in Special Education Schools: Protocol for a Multicity Cluster Randomized
Ruihang Zhang1,2, Rong Lin3, Wenyan Huang4
1School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
JMIR Research Protocols
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Children with disabilities in special education schools face high oral disease risks. Biannual fluoride varnish (FV) applications and education are being tested to improve their oral health and reduce cavities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Special Education
Background:
- Children with disabilities in special education schools exhibit elevated risks for oral diseases, particularly dental caries.
- Limited school-based oral health interventions exist for this vulnerable population in China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of fluoride varnish (FV) application combined with oral health education for students in special education schools.
- To assess improvements in oral health and hygiene behaviors among students with disabilities.
Main Methods:
- A stratified, cluster randomized controlled trial in Guangdong Province, China.
- Intervention group: annual dental exams, biannual FV applications, and oral health education.
- Control group: standard annual exams and comparable education. Outcomes measured via oral exams and questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Enrollment of 12 special education schools and over 1100 students completed as of June 2025.
- Baseline data and initial FV applications are finished; follow-up data collection is ongoing until June 2026.
- Results are anticipated in 2027, with ongoing data analysis.
Conclusions:
- Biannual FV application is anticipated to significantly decrease caries prevalence and enhance oral hygiene.
- This school-based model offers a scalable, evidence-based strategy to address oral health disparities for children with disabilities in China.
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