Effect of Traditional and Virtual Oral Hygiene Instruction to School Health Instructors on Plaque Index of Elementary Schoolchildren

Amin Golshah; Mahya Salahshour; Maryam  Kiani; Ali  Fatahi

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.5867

Authors

Amin Golshah Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Mahya Salahshour Student Research Comittee, Faculty of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Maryam Kiani Student Research Comittee, Faculty of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Ali Fatahi Student Research Comittee, Faculty of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.5867

Keywords:

Oral hygiene, Education, School health services, Dental plaque index

Abstract

AIM: This study compared the effect of traditional and virtual oral hygiene instruction to school health instructors on plaque index (PI) of elementary schoolchildren.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this descriptive, analytical study, 66 elementary schools in Kermanshah city were selected by cluster sampling. The school health instructors first participated in a pretest and filled out a questionnaire. The O’Leary’s index of 339 elementary schoolchildren was measured at baseline. Next, the school health instructors received oral hygiene instructions in two groups (n = 33) of virtual instruction through an online course and traditional classroom setting. After 3 weeks, a post-test was held and school health instructors filled out the same questionnaire for the 2^ndtime. After 3 months, the PI of students was measured again. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and ANOVA.

RESULTS: Both instruction methods significantly enhanced the oral hygiene knowledge of instructors (p < 0.001) but virtual instruction was significantly more effective (p = 0.02). No significant association was noted between age, work experience of instructors, or their level of education with their knowledge level in the virtual group (p > 0.05). An inverse correlation was noted between age and work experience of instructors with their knowledge level in the traditional instruction group (p < 0.05). Both instruction methods caused significant improvement of PI of students (p < 0.001) but virtual instruction was more effective (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Correct oral hygiene instruction to school health instructors (preferably by virtual instruction) can reduce PI elementary schoolchildren.

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