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Preventive dental health in adolescents: short and long term pupil response to trials of an integrated curriculum package
Author(s) -
Craft Michael,
Croucher Ray,
Dickinson Julie
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1981.tb00329.x
Subject(s) - medicine , curriculum , oral hygiene , oral health , family medicine , dental health , cognition , dentistry , medical education , psychiatry , pedagogy , psychology
A controlled evaluation of a 3‐week teacher mediated dental health education curriculum package was undertaken in 35 English secondary schools in three Area Health Authorities. 4500 13–14‐year‐old adolescents were involved. The package emphasized self‐care potential and combined a scientifically accurate message with educational and behavioural science concepts. Evaluation was at the levels of process and outcome using changes in oral hygiene recorded on a random sample (n = 1491) by two trained examiners; self‐complete pre/posttest questionnaires, pupil worksheets and home experiment diaries. Behavioural, cognitive and affective outcomes are reported. Significant improvements in oral hygiene status were recorded at the conclusion of the programme along with large gains in knowledge and positive changes in attitude. Long term follow‐up oral hygiene examinations in six schools (n = 145) conducted in conjunction with a reinforcement programme, indicated a maintenance of the initial improvements in five schools. Further significant improvements were measured after the reinforcement programme.