The Effects of the modification dental health behaviors program of parents for Dental Caries Protection in pre-school children, E-lum sub district, Uthumphonpisai District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

           This quasi-experimental study aims to investigate on the application of Health Belief Model, Social Support and Empowerment on the preventive behavior against dental caries in pre-school children of child development center by parents, E-lum sub-district, Uthumpornpisai district, Sisaket Province. Sixty six parents of pre-school children were equally randomized to 33 of the experimental group and 33 of the comparison group. The experimental group had been set up the behavior modification on dental health education program which included taught by Power Point presentation, video, lecture sheet, poster, demonstration and hand on. As well as the mental supportive and reminding was applied by the dental health care officer, teachers in child center and friends. Beside that the comparative group had been received the conventional dental health care education. The experiment was conducted during January to March 2012. Pre and post experiment data were collected using the questionnaires as well as a plaque index measurement form. The mean and ranges data were statistically analyzed for descriptive statistic and also the Paired sample t-test and Independent sample t-test were applied for the comparative data analysis.

           The results showed that the mean scores of knowledge of dental caries, perceived susceptibility of dental caries, perceived severity of dental caries, Perceived benefits of taking the health action minus the barriers of dental caries prevention were greater statistic significantly in experimental group than those in comparison group (P<0.001). The perceived barrier of dental caries, plaque index score in experimental group was lower statistic significantly than those in comparison group (P<0.001). In conclusion, the modification program for the preventive behavior for dental caries using Health Belief Model and Social Support increase the awareness and self-practice in parents on the dental caries prevention for their children. Therefore, the modification program for the preventive behavior using Health Belief Model and Social Support may utilize specifically in the pre-school child center for dental caries prevention either for others public health concern.