Abstract
Data sources
The methodology followed the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of interventions with MEDLINE/PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase and LILACS databases searched. Publication date was limited to 1995-2015 with no restriction on language.
Study selection
Two independent reviewers selected randomised controlled clinical trials involving oral health education provided by a dental care professional to children aged between five and 18 years old within a school setting. Eligible studies were those which had outcomes including caries, plaque accumulation, gingivitis, toothache or tooth loss. Randomisation was at group (school and/or classroom) or individual level. The control groups were not provided with an educational programme on oral health, however they could have been given an action that belonged to the school's curricular framework.
Data extraction and synthesis
The title and abstract of each study was reviewed and critically assessed by two independent reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook. Studies where the data of interest were presented in charts or were of dichotomous data were not included in meta-analysis.
Results
Twelve studies were included in this systematic review. Five studies showed plaque level reduction in the intervention groups and two studies found no effect of the interventions on gingivitis. There was insufficient evidence on effectiveness of the interventions in reducing dental caries.
Conclusions
Traditional oral health educational actions were effective in reducing plaque in the short-term, but not gingivitis. There was no long-term evidence regarding the effectiveness of traditional oral health educational actions in the school environment on preventing plaque accumulation, gingivitis and dental caries in schoolchildren.
Acknowledgements This study was funded in part by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
The Health and Social Care Information Centre. Focus on the health and care of young people June 2015. Available online at http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/ypfocusjun15 (accessed April 2018)
Kay EJ, Locker D . Is dental health education effective? A systematic review of current evidence. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1996; 24: 231–235.
Kay E, Vascott D, Hocking A, Nield H, Dorr C, Barrett H . A review of approaches for dental practice teams for promoting oral health. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2016; 44: 313–330.
Kay EJ, Vascott D, Hocking A, Nield H . Motivational interviewing in general dental practice: A review of the evidence. Br Dent J 2016; 221: 785–791.
Watt RG, Marinho VC . Does oral health promotion improve oral hygiene and gingival health? Periodontology 2000 2005; 37: 35–47.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Address for correspondence: Fernando Neves Hugo, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. E-mail: fernandoneveshugo@gmail.com
Stein C, Santos NML, Hilgert JB, Hugo FN. Effectiveness of oral health education on oral hygiene and dental caries in schoolchildren: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2018; 46: 30–37. doi:10.1111/cdoe.12325. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 28815661.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Soldani, F., Wu, J. School based oral health education. Evid Based Dent 19, 36–37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6401298
Published:
Version of record:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6401298
