Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess the outcome of school-based oral health education (OHE) and a sugar-free chewing gum program on the oral health status of children in terms of reduced caries increment and gingival bleeding over a period of 2 years. Nine primary schools randomly chosen from one district were divided into three groups: OHE group (Group E), sugar-free chewing gum in addition to OHE group (Group G), and the control group (Group C). All children of grade 1 (aged 6-7 years) were recruited (n = 1342). After 2 years, 1143 children remained in the study group at follow-up. The overall drop-out rate was about 15%. Data on dental caries and gingival bleeding were collected by clinical examination. The results showed that the mean increment of DMFS in Group G was 42% lower than in groups E and C (P < 0.05). The mean increments in F-S were higher in Groups G and E than in Group C (P < 0.01). The gingival bleeding scores were statistically significant among the three groups. Compared to Group C, the mean increment in bleeding scores of Group G was 71% lower (P < 0.01) and in Group E 42% lower (P < 0.05). The school-based OHE programs had some positive effect improving children's oral hygiene; in certain circumstances children may benefit from using polyol-containing chewing gum in terms of reduced dental caries.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Acta Odontologica Scandinavica |
| Volume | 62 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 328-32 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISSN | 0001-6357 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2004 |
Keywords
- Analysis of Variance
- Cariostatic Agents
- Chewing Gum
- Child
- China
- DMF Index
- Dental Caries
- Health Education, Dental
- Humans
- Periodontal Index
- School Dentistry
- Sorbitol
- Sweetening Agents
- Xylitol