40 - Evaluating Knowledge Acquisition of Oral Health Information in a 4th grade: Dental Professionals Necessary?

Abstract:

Background: A prior study by a dentist revealed significant oral health knowledge acquisition to 4th graders at a primary school in Florida (presented at the NRHA Meeting, 2016).

Objectives: Can a non-dentist be effective in raising knowledge utilizing the same presentation?

Methods: 4th grade students agreed to participate in a follow-up presentation. After a baseline pretest of students' brushing and flossing activity; knowledge of the importance of oral health and oral health/systemic disease connections, tobacco/methamphetamine effects, an hour presentation by a high school senior (mentored by earlier DDS) was provided. A nearly identical posttest followed coded for individual comparisons. Questions included brushing and flossing behavior; knowledge of cavities by bacteria that can be prevented; tobacco/methamphetamine effects; when a child should have a first dental visit and familiarity with the findings of the Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health including oral disease/systemic connections. Questions were Likert style (1=Strongly Disagree to 5=Strongly Agree). Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was utilized for statistical analysis of baseline and posttest differences.

Results: Of 41 students, 38 (92.6%) participated. Significant findings (p < 0.05) from the presentation included baseline brushing time, reasons to brush and floss to more recommended levels in the future. When it came to knowledge acquisition: increased correct agreement (p < 0.05) was noted for the Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health, oral disease connections and systemic disease, oral tobacco/methamphetamine effects and time for first dental visit.

Conclusions: A presentation to a 4th grade by a senior in high school was effective in raising oral health knowledge.

Source of Funding: None