EFFECT EVALUATION OF AN ORAL HEALTH-EDUCATION PROGRAM IN PRIMARY-SCHOOLS IN TANZANIA

This study aimed to assess the clinical oral health outcome effects am ong, schoolchildren participating in a school-based oral health educat ion (OHE) programme, Local social, cultural and environmental conditio ns were determinants of the school-based OHE programme, which Ras comp iled on the basis of prevailing beliefs and on what teachers and educa tional authorities considered to be important for the oral health of s choolchildren, Consequently, the practical aspects of oral hygiene and information on the cause and prevention of caries and gingivitis were the components of oral health education, The teachers were prepared t o carry out weekly supervised toothbrushing sessions and monthly lesso ns on aspects of oral health for the school year in grade 4, Eight par ticipating schools were selected for the clinical effect evaluation an d four non-participating schools served as the control. In total. 309 children from the participating schools and 122 children from the non- participating schools were available for the evaluation. Their ages va ried between 9 and 14 years. The mean plaque scorer calculus score and gingival bleeding score at baseline and at follow-up examinations 3, 8, 15 and 36 months later were not significantly different for partici pating schools and controls, The mean DMFT value at baseline was 0.4 a nd 3 years later 0.9 In both the participating and control schools, In conclusion, the present study shows that the implemented school-based OHE programme did not result in significant reductions of the clinica l parameters measured.