Engaging School Communities to Improve Oral Health of Children

Abstract

Aim or purpose: To improve the oral health and hygiene practices of pre and primary school children to help alleviate acute and serious long term problems and to reduce hospital admissions. Materials and methods: The partnership between community dental services and local municipal councils, comprising of multiple strategies embedded in an outreach model. The strategies incorporated professional development sessions for school staff and family education sessions for parents and children. The sessions provided information on oral health promotion and access and eligibility to dental services. Pre and primary school children received oral health screening. In addition, schools were given the opportunity to apply for a small grant to support future oral health promotion activities. Results: 396 school staff underwent professional development training and 580 parents and 927 primary school children attended the family education sessions. 1342 3–4-year-old children and 642 10–12-year-old children were screened, with 78% assessed as requiring further treatment and provided with information to make a dental appointment. The key impacts included increased knowledge of good oral health behaviours and habits, awareness of public dental services and identification of dental caries in screened children. Conclusions: This collaborative model empowered children, families and schools with a broader understanding of good oral health habits and its impact on overall health and wellbeing. In addition, outreach sessions increased knowledge of public dental services, linking dental services with schools and families.