Effectiveness of Brushing Technique on Oral Health Status of Secondary School Children in a Selected School, Kolkata, West Bengal

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of brushing technique on oral health status of 5th and 6th standard secondary school children in a selected school, Kolkata, West Bengal. Objectives of the study were to assess the oral health status of the school children before and after demonstration of roll brushing technique, to determine the knowledge of oral health before and after demonstration of roll brushing technique and to find out the brushing technique practiced by school children before and after demonstration of roll brushing technique with structured teaching program to find out the effectiveness of such intervention on improving the knowledge and practice of school children. Pre-experimental research approach was used with one group pretest and posttest design. A valid and reliable structured knowledge questionnaire and observation checklists were used for data collection. The pilot study was conducted to find out the feasibility of the study. The final study was conducted in a selected school in Kolkata with 65 samples. Personal background data were analyzed in terms of frequency and percentage distribution. Relationship between oral health status, knowledge and practice was revealed by ‘t’ test. The demonstration of brushing technique was found to be effective. But significant relationship was not found between oral health status, knowledge and practice. The investigator recommends this type of further study in future to enhance the awareness among children regarding oral health.