The effects of dental health education program for preventing periodontal diseases among health volunteers, Erawan district, Loei Province

Abstract

          This  quasi-experimental  research  aimed  to  study  the  effects  of  dental  health program   for  preventing  periodontal  diseases  by behavioral  modification  among  health  volunteers,  Erawan  District, Loei  Province. The  samples were  120  health  volunteers  and  were divided  into two  groups, 60  health  volunteers in the experimental  group  and  60  health  volunteers in  the comparison  group. The duration of implementation were 12 weeks. Data were collected by questionnaires and an interview. Descriptive data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such  as  frequency, percentage, mean and standard  deviation. Paired sample t-test and Independent sample t-test were also used. The program in this study used health education media as a center of learning.  Group activities, demonstration and practice of tooth brushing and flossing by application of Protection Motivation theory were included.  Morover, social support from health volunteers group and researcher were addressed. The  results  showed  that  after  intervention  the  experimental  group  had  higher mean  score  of  knowledge,  perceived  severity, perceived  susceptibility,  self-efficacy,  response  efficacy  and  practice  for  Periodontal  diseases  preventing  than  the comparison  group (p-value < 0.001). Dental  plaque  and  periodontal  status  of  experimental  group  decreased  significantly  when compared to the  comparison  group (p-value < 0.001). After  the  intervention, the experimental  group   propagated  the  knowledge  of  preventing  periodontal  diseases  to  people  in  their  communities.