A Pre Experimental Study to assess Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge about Dental Caries and its Prevalence among Students in Selected Schools of District Gurdaspur, Punjab

 

Ms. Harman Preet Kaur

Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab

 

ABSTRACT:

Background: School age is a very important period in life of a person. In this age, a person learns some good moral values and hygienic practices from their curriculum and also from their teachers. Among all those activities of daily living, dental care holds a very important place. Every student must know to take proper care of his/her teeth and oral cavity so as to prevent from any further complication in recent or far future. The aim of this present study was to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge about dental caries and its prevalence among students in selected schools of Gurdaspur. Methods: For determining prevalence of dental caries Oral Hygiene Index was used and a structured knowledge questionnaire comprising of 40 questions was given to the population that comprised of 250 students from selected schools of district Gurdaspur. Questions were divided into different areas of knowledge related to dental caries. Results: The results showed that among 250 students, as per prevalence of dental caries, 64.4% of students were found suffering with moderate level of prevalence. Nearly one fourth 18.4% of students had normal teeth. Very few were seen with 10.4%, severe and 6.8% mild prevalence of dental caries. According to pre test knowledge regarding dental caries, 66% of students had good knowledge regarding dental caries where as 14.8% were having average knowledge regarding dental caries. No student was having below average knowledge regarding dental caries. According to post test knowledge regarding dental caries, 91.2% of students had excellent knowledge regarding dental caries whereas 8.8% were having good knowledge regarding dental caries. No student was having average and below average knowledge regarding dental caries. According to association of level of knowledge of students with selected socio demographic variables such as class, gender, family income and place of living, it was found to be non significant. Hence no socio demographic variable was having any impact on knowledge regarding dental caries among students whereas age depicts significant relationship with the level of knowledge hence it have impact on knowledge regarding dental caries. Conclusion: Hence it may be concluded that out of 250 study subjects, this study reveal that as per prevalence of dental caries, 64.4% of students were found suffering with moderate level of prevalence. Nearly one fourth 18.4% of students had normal teeth. Very few were seen with 10.4%, severe and 6.8% mild prevalence of dental caries. According to pre test knowledge regarding dental caries, 66% of students had good knowledge regarding dental caries whereas 14.8% were having average knowledge regarding dental caries. No student was having below average knowledge regarding dental caries. According to post test knowledge regarding dental caries, 91.2% of students had excellent knowledge regarding dental caries whereas 8.8% were having good knowledge regarding dental caries. No student was having average and below average knowledge regarding dental caries. According to association of level of knowledge of students with selected socio demographic variables such as class, gender, family income and place of living, it was found to be non significant. Hence no socio demographic variable was having any impact on knowledge regarding dental caries among students whereas age depicts significant relationship with the level of knowledge hence it have impact on knowledge regarding dental caries.

 

INTRODUCTION:

“There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.”

Healthy children are successful learners. School age children represent about 25% of total population. The very size of the population suggests that health care of the school children can contribute to the overall health status of the country. The health and well being of school age children has become a high profile issue, lying at the heart of numerous government initiatives and policies and receiving considerable public attention.¹

 

The goal of WHO “Health for all by the year 2025” includes oral health also.² According to Osler³ “Oral cavity is a mirror of rest of the body.” Dental caries affects more than half of the school age children and is the most common disease for that age group. School ages are lost because of dental problems and dental visit, with poor children reporting almost 12 times restricted activity day due to dental related illness than higher income children. Between 11% to 72% of poor children have been found to have early childhood caries. One study found that school age dental decay could be predicted in toddler by determining the frequency of brushing and other variables. This suggests the importance of regular brushing or young children.⁴

 

Healthy, clean, strong and good teeth are like a valuable possession. Therefore, attention should be paid to the dental care. Dental care, broadly speaking oral hygiene is an important aspect of personal health of an individual. Oral hygiene is essential for prevention of dental disease mainly dental caries and periodontal disease. Dental caries is a leading dental problem of children. Ninety percent children have some tooth decay by 12 years of age. Children from socio-economically deprived areas have more dental caries than those from other groups. Tooth brushing, use of fluorides regular dental check-up, diet and habits are important in prevention of dental caries.

 

Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent tartar development, dental plaque, cavities, gingivitis and gum diseases. This is done by carefully and frequently brushing with a toothbrush and use of dental floss to prevent accumulation of plaque. Good oral dental hygiene involve cleanliness after each and every meal and correct brushing ensure removal of food particles that may lead to tooth decay. Good dental hygiene and care is to be taught to all the segments of population but mainly to the school children.⁵

 

School students form 38%-40% of our world population. One of the major health care concept faced by these promises of future are oral health problems, more commonly dental caries. The higher concentration of health care facilities in urban areas of India prevents the rural population from receiving proper health care facilities in time. This is a major concern of health care services in developing countries including India. Adding to this illiteracy, poverty and over growing population made it difficult to render better health care services to all. Hence prevention seems to be the only solution in promoting oral health and there by the overall health.⁶

 

Dental caries remain one of the commonest disorders affecting the teeth, starting right from the early age. Hence the importance of preventing dental caries is at the school age level. Dental caries affects more than half of the school age children and is the most common disease for that age group. School ages are lost because of dental problems and dental visit, with poor children reporting almost 12 times restricted activity day due to dental related illness than higher income children. About 60% to 70% of poor children have been found to have early childhood caries. One study found that school age dental decay could be predicted in toddler by determining the frequency of brushing and other variables. This suggests the importance of regular brushing or young children.⁷

 

Oral practices have fundamental importance to achieve goal of oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is natural part of total body cleanliness and people desire fresh mouth and good smelling breath. Tooth decay is most common global disease. Over 80% cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where brushing cannot reach. Food is left trapped after every meal and saliva has no access to neutralize acid or remineralize tooth.⁸

 

Survey revealed that 84.4%population suffered from one or more dental diseases. Along with this, 75 % of school children were suffering from dental problems. It was mainly due to lack of awareness and knowledge regarding dental care.⁹

 

The school population of today is adult of tomorrow. Developing good dental health practices in students helps to reduce many oral problems in later life. A good oral hygiene also increase self confidence in interacting and talking with people. So, in school children, it is very essential to assess their knowledge about dental care practices. They should be educated to develop in them a sense of responsibility regarding dental care. Studies on dental caries and knowledge about dental care helps in improving their behavior about dental care at an early age which is beneficial for life time.¹⁰

 

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

A study on dental caries prevalence and associated factors among 6-12 year old students in schools of Madagascar. The study revealed that among 300 students, 135 were suffering from dental caries. Very few reported to brush their teeth twice a day. Knowledge questionnaire revealed that 120 students were having relatively high knowledge about dental care.¹¹

 

A study to check the relation between socio economic status and dental caries prevalence in Devangere. The study was conducted on 2007 children between age 11-14 years of both sexes. It was concluded that students having low socio economic status and studying in government schools were having more dental caries prevalence as compared to ones having high socio economic status.¹²

 

Children frequently suffer from dental diseases such as dental caries and other oral cavity infections. So, proper dental screening and dental care is very essential for school children. There is an urgent need to increase their knowledge and interest about dental hygiene.¹³

 

School children are very prone to dental and oral infections. So, periodic appraisals are to be done regarding dental hygiene in school health programmes.¹⁴ 70-90% of students are suffering from one or more dental problems. Dental hygiene is very important component of school health programme. So proper dental education and knowledge about dental care and prevention of dental diseases is to be imparted to students.

 

Oral cavity performs many functions like communication, eating and drinking. So, proper cleaning of teeth is to be taught to the students to promote their self esteem. Imparting knowledge about healthy dental care in school children is a matter that needs to be addressed in modern times. By this study, we can assess the knowledge level of elementary school children regarding dental hygiene and can teach them about proper cleaning of teeth by brushing and professional cleaning at least twice a year.

 

The researcher while working in community also got a chance to deal with school children in his area. During this interaction, he found that the school children especially in rural areas do not have proper knowledge about dental hygiene. So, there is a need to assess their knowledge level about dental care and teach them measures to prevent any dental problems and oral cavity problems.¹⁵

 

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

A Pre Experimental Study to Assess Effectiveness Of Structured Teaching Program On Knowledge About Dental Caries and its Prevalence Among Students in Selected School of District Gurdaspur, Punjab.

 

AIM OF THE STUDY:

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries and its prevalence among school students.

 

OBJECTIVES:

1)       To assess the prevalence of dental caries among students in selected schools.

2)       To assess pre test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students in selected schools.

3)       To assess post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students in selected schools.

4)       To ascertain relationship of pre test and post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students with selected demographic variables.

5)       To ascertain the co-relation of pre test and post test  knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students.

6)       To distribute guidelines on how to perform effective dental care.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The pre –experimental research approach was consider appropriate as it is a teaching programme on knowledge and prevalence of dental caries among students and selected schools of Gurdaspur with variables like age, sex, class and economic status. Study was conducted in the selected Schools of Gurdaspur. The population of present study was selected school students. The sample of study was students studying in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th standard in selected schools of Gurdaspur and total sample size was 250 students. Socio demographic variables were age, sex, class, economic status, area. As the study was to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme of knowledge regarding dental caries among students in selected schools of Gurdaspur. Description of tool: PART-A: socio demographic profile: This part consists of items for obtaining personal information such as age (6-12 years), gender (M/F), class (3^rd, 4^th, 5^th), economic status (<5000, >5000). PART-B: structural questionnaire regarding dental caries. This part consisted of; dental anatomy, tooth brushing, flossing, diet, dental care, dental caries. Each question contained 4 options and respondent had to tick any one of them. Each question carried one mark and maximum knowledge score was 40 and minimum are 0. PART –C: Standardized Simplified dental index is taken to assess prevalence of dental caries. The permission for research study was taken from concerned authorities of selected schools. Data for study was collected by questionnaire and standardized simplified dental index by visiting respective schools. ANOVA test was employed to determine association of collected data.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION:

The permission for research was taken from authorities of concern settings. Before collecting data, investigator gave brief introduction about self, purpose of the study and information regarding tools. Informed consent was taken from each study subject.

 

RESULTS:

According to age of the students out of 250, majority were in age group of 8-10 years (44.8%) followed by 10-12 years (36.4%) and 6-8 years (18.8%) of age groups. As per sex of students most of students were male (59.6%) and the remaining (40.4%) were female. Distribution of study sample according to class majority (44.4%) were 4^th class, (28%) were 3^rd class and (27.6%) were in 5^th class. According to income in which maximum were < 5000 (57.2%) and remaining (42.8%) were > 5000. As per area most of students (83.2%) were residing in rural area and (16.8%) were residing in urban area.

 

CONCLUSION:

Hence, it may be concluded that out of 250 study subjects, majority were in age group 8-10 years, were male ,with monthly family income upto < 5000, were residing in rural area and in 4^th class. No significant association was found between socio demographic variables.

 

Objectives: 1 To assess the prevalence of dental caries among students in selected schools.

The analysis of data regarding level of prevalence of dental caries among students revealed that out of 250 subjects, majority of subjects were found suffering with moderate (64.4%) and nearly one fourth (18.4%) of students had normal teeth. Very few were seen with severe (10.4%) and (6.8%) mild prevalence of dental caries. with mean ± SD for prevalence was 2.67± 4.69.

 

Objective 2: To assess pre test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students in selected schools.

The analysis of data regarding level of pre test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students revealed that out of 250, nearly three-fourth (66%) of the subjects had good level of knowledge as compared to those with excellent level of knowledge (19.2%). Average level of knowledge was shown by very few subjects (14.8%), below Average were (0%) with overall mean ± SD for codependency was 78.1± 7.314.

 

Objective 3: To assess post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students in selected schools. The analysis of data regarding level post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students revealed that out of 250, about (91.2%) of the subjects had excellent level of knowledge and (8.8%) have good level knowledge .No one from subject lies in Average and below Average level of knowledge and overall mean ± SD among students was 64.16± 3.42.

 

Objective 4: To ascertain relationship of pre test and post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among student with selected demographic variables.

With regard to relationship of pre test and post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students with selected socio-demographic variables such as age (in years) was found to be statistically significant whereas class, sex, monthly family income, area was found to be statistically non significant

 

Objective 5: To ascertain co-relation of pre test and post test knowledge regarding prevention of dental caries among students.

As per my research study co-relation between pre and post test knowledge is 0.99.

 

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2.        WHO Magazines, Oral Health for Healthy Life, (1994).

3.        Dr. Vidya Rattan, Hand book of preventive and Social medicine Community Publisher, New Delhi, 1994, P-255

4.        Allender Spradley, Williams and Wilkins, Community Health Nursing Promoting and Projecting the public Health, 6 edit, Lippincott Company, 2005, P-630,652.

5.        Rao Kasturi Sunder. Community health nursing. 2^nd ed. Chennai: B.I. Publication, 2005.

6.        Lucita Mary. Public and community health nursing. 10^th ed. Chennai: B.I. Publications, 1999.

7.        Dr. Vidya Rattan. Hand book of preventive and Social medicine Community. New Delhi: Kumar Publisher, 1999.

8.        WHO committee on Dental Health education. 2010, viewed 18/1/2012 <http://www.who.int/country/ind/en.

9.        Health Department of Punjab 2006. <http://www.pbhealthdept//gov.in.

10.     Dina H Kitchens. Knowledge and prevalence of dental caries. Journal of contemporary dental practice. 2005: 112-114.

11.     Peterson, Poulsen, Ramahaleo. Dental caries prevalence and dental health behavior in school students. African Dental Journal 2000;5:11-7

12.     Sogi S M Bhaskar D J. Dental care and oral hygiene status of school children in Devangre related to socio economic status. Journal of India Soc Paed Prev dent 2002; 20 (4):152-57.

13.     Kamalam S. Essentials in community health nursing practice. 2^nd edition, published by Jaypee Publishers;2012:

14.     Suryakantha A H. Community medicine with recent advances. edition 2^nd,published by Jaypee Publishers;2010.

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Received on 17.09.2016          Modified on 26.09.2016

Accepted on 21.12.2016         © A&V Publications all right reserved