Oral health promotion within schools
A number of studies have demonstrated that
teaching in schools can be effective in terms of
improving both knowledge and health outcome
measures. ‘Natural Nashers’ was a 3-week integrated
curriculum package aimed at adolescents [5]. In
their literature review, Sprod
et al
. [3] concluded that
this was a strong study design that proved to be an
effective intervention. In another study, four, one-hour
lessons in 32 primary schools improved plaque scores
and knowledge about toothbrushes and disclosing
tablets compared to a control group [6]. In a review
of dental health education in schools [7], Flanders
commented that, although knowledge does increase,
to achieve behavioural changes requires much more
long-term input – and not just one-off interventions.
He supported the school as an environment in which
to provide oral health promotion because virtually
all children attend school.