Development for promotion of dental health in school-network with community participation at Saimoon and Nongkung subdistricts, Namphong district, KhonKaen Province

Abstract

          Dental caries and gingivitis are the serious problems for elementary school children, given that their permanent teeth start to erupt. In addition, this age range is appropriate for practice of disciplines, while child health lays as one of the foundations for learning. As a result, elementary schools become the main areas for health promotion.  This action research aimed to develop the dental health promotion for children in school-network with Participation of Community in 7 schools 970 students, 7 executives, 78 teachers and 2 community from October 2014 - December 2016. Methodology including (1) Plan: The future research conference (FSC) and AIC process were applied in workshops to jointly establish a network development plan. (2) Action: All schools teamed up to execute the action plan for the school network and the schools' action plans. (3) Observe: Designed for data collection and analysis, Qualitative data by content analysis and quantitative data by descriptive statistics (4) Reflection: Meeting regularly to reflect.

          The results found that a working group was established. The school network had its vision, mission and policy, while its project implementation, based on the action plan and the network's memorandum of understanding (MOU), was certain. The program enhanced the teacher’s student and public health officials' capabilities. Dental health education was integrated in course. Innovation occurred in the program on "All-in-One with Clean Teeth and Healthy Gums 2x2x2x2." Short Plays on For Good Teeth; Green Market; Union for Collaboration and Health Concern; Healthy Drinking Water; Everyone Drinks All of Milk with Fluoride-Added Instantly Everyday; Bike for Anti-Tooth Decay; We Will Not Stop Brushing Our Teeth on Holidays; Refreshments and Healthy Drinks. The local administrative organizations provided consistent promotion on the project implementation, while the communities joined force to drive the policy. The events "Carbonated Beverage-Free Merit-Making" were held throughout the project. Arranging the dental service system.

         With respect to oral health status and health behavior of the students the findings were that 94.36% and 85.12% of total students surveyed brushed their teeth after lunch and before bed time, respectively. Approximately 87.22% of total elementary students had sweetened refreshments and drunk less than two time per day. In addition, 89.17% of total children had no gingivitis and 78.24% of them were cavity free. Participation in shared vision and network development plans, strong leadership, action, awareness of benefits, knowledges provided,  knowledge sharing, and continuous promotion of project implementation and consistent project monitoring were cited as the key factors for participatory development.