Effect of Oral Health Education on Adoption of Dental Caries Preventive Behaviors among Elementary Students Using Combined Training

Aims: Oral health is a necessity and part of general health. Due to the effects of poor oral health and untreated oral diseases on quality of life and prevalence of these diseases at school ages, this study aimed to determine the effect of oral health education using combined training on adopting dental caries preventive behaviors among elementary students. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, girl students at elementary schools in the town of Kootabdollah during the second semester of the academic year of 2017 were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method and they were divided in two groups of 60 students into intervention and control groups. Data collection tools included demographic and background profile questionnaire and Valid Scientific Researcher Questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in the case of dental caries prevention that at three levels: before, immediately after and two months after the intervention by students was completed. The experimental group received two training sessions in a form of combined training. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using appropriate tests. Findings: There was no significant difference between experimental and control groups before the intervention (p>0.05). But, immediately after and 2 months after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavioral (p<0.05). Conclusion: Combined training can increase knowledge, change attitudes, and improve the adoption of dental caries preventive behaviors that affect oral and dental health of students.