Assessment Of Changes In Knowledge, Attitude And Practices In Oral Health, Following Oral Health Education Amongst School Children In Sundernagar, Himachal Pradesh, India

Context: Providing oral health education in schools helps the children to develop personal skills, provide knowledge about oral health and promotes positive attitudes and health behaviours. Aim: The aim and objective of the study was to assess the change in knowledge attitude and practices(KAP) in oral health, following the oral heath education amongst the school children of Sundernagar city in Himachal Pradesh, India. Design: Cross sectional study Material and Method: The study was carried out on a total 649 children in the age range of 7-14 years selected randomly from different schools. KAP regarding oral health was recorded at baseline and after six months following the oral health education lectures and practical demonstrations. The pre and post data on oral health KAP were collected by means of a selfadministered Questionnaire. Statistical significance was determined by Chi-square test. Results. At baseline 39.1% were brushing twice which was increased to 76.9% after six months. Knowledge regarding various dental diseases improved from 9.2% to 80.6%. Increase from 9.5% to 92% and 26% to 98.3% was observed regarding the role of fluoride in dental diseases and for the importance of deciduous teeth respectively. Conclusion. Oral health education lectures are effective in changing the KAP about oral health of the children as well as in preventing and controlling the common dental diseases.