Effect of Oral Health Education on Oral Health Status, Treatment Needs and Barriers to Care

Overview

Jordanian children have very poor oral hygiene parameters, and this is reflected as very high caries prevalence and poor gingival health conditions. This study will focus on children at social homes in the community in order to establish a baseline reference about their oral health status, treatment needs, and barriers to dental care. Also, to report the efficacy of oral health education using audio-visual aids and frequent motivation on oral health status, treatment needs and barriers to care among children at social homes in Jordan.

The oral health status (OHS) for children and adults is a reflection of the whole body general health status as well as the overall quality of life. Jordanian children have very poor oral hygiene parameters, and this is reflected as very high caries prevalence and poor gingival health conditions. Orphans and children who come from broken homes are suspected to have poorer oral health conditions from their peers in the public due to the different parameters that can affect their general health in whole and oral health in particular, and this could affect their quality of life. These parameters can be related to socioeconomic status, psychological and behavioral conditions, access to care and other factors. The role of tooth brushing in decreasing dental caries and enhancing the gingival health is well-established in the literature, and oral health education programs have proven to be effective in improving the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior of children. These programs could be regarded as an effective measure to enhance the oral health status and establish good routines in childhood which is vital for optimum oral health and provision of lifelong protection against caries. This study will focus on children at social homes in the community in order to establish a baseline reference about their oral health status, treatment needs, and barriers to dental care. Also, to report the efficacy of oral health education using audio-visual aids and frequent motivation on oral health status, treatment needs and barriers to care among children at social homes in Jordan.