Management of the fluoridated milk program in primary schools with networks, Prayean district, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

          In relation to the implementation of fluoridated milk program in Prayean district, primary school students grade 1-6 always drink pasteurized fluoridated milk one bag every day. Keeping milk in proper environment from diary personnel to students will make milk in good quality. The purpose of this study was to compare the results before and after developing the management of fluoridated milk program in primary school levels with networks. Controlling fluoridated milk in quality and monitoring networks of milk fluoridation administration were also addressed. The importance activities were to 1) survey baseline data in primary schools and the networks of administration 2) establish the networks of administration for dental caries prevention that  included the responsible teachers, diary personnel, milk delivers, local authority and health staff 3) establish the quality control training courses 4) do workshop and brainstorming to set up principle guidelines for networks of milk fluoridation administration .The results revealed that the average knowledge’s score of networks of milk fluoridation administration increased from 10.97 ± 1.76  to  12.80 ± 1.30 with p-value <0.001. One year survey after management of milk fluoridation in the school revealed that schools and milk delivers improved a performance of quality control of the fluoridated milk including proper size of ice bucket (p=0.03), proper ice arrangement in the buckets in small schools (p<0.001), milk temperature ranged 2-8 Celsius (p<0.01) and normal physical characteristic of milk (p<0.01). There were some important items that need further closely monitor and improve such as cleaning and drying ice buckets after finishing the school.  Milk delivers should add more ices in the buckets and frequently check the temperature of milk. The factors influencing success of program were knowledge and setting up the principle guidelines for networks to manage the program.