Development of Dental Health Promotion System in junior Secondary School with Participation of Community in Gaeyai School, Gaeyai Sub-district, Muang District, Surin Province

Abstract

          Oral diseases, particularly dental caries and gingivitis are the main problem of oral health. Therefore, oral health promotion is a crucial to be concerned for protection of oral diseases. The purpose of this research was to develop the dental health promotion system for junior secondary schools with the participation of the community in Gaeyai School, Gaeyai Subdistrict, Muang District, Surin Province. Sixty-nine participants were recruited in the study. They were investigated using the questionnaires, interviews, observation, group discussion as well as oral hygiene examination. Data were analyzed both quantitative and qualitative with the average, percentage, standard deviation, and pair sample t – test.

          The results revealed that the dental health promotion program was developed as five steps: 1) dental health promotion for person, 2) dental health promotion for school, 3) dental health promotion for the community, 4) dental services in school, and 5) dental health surveillances. From qualitative data, the stakeholders were satisfied with the dental health promotion program developed in this study. The scores of knowledge, attitude and practice of dental hygiene significantly increased (p-value <0.001). Moreover, the plaque of the sample was significantly decreased (p-value <0.001).

          Important factors of the program development involved the participation of networks including students, teachers and community. Facilitating stakeholders to concern on stepping to set up the dental health promotion program within five procedures may encourage the local community to sustain oral health promotion in schools.