Thai Dental Public Health Journal

Causal Relationship Model of the Learning Happiness Among Clinical Dental Students in Higher Education Institutions of Thailand

Sulintip Punkaew, Veerawan Wongpinpech — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced the happiness of clinical dental students in higher education institutions in Thailand. A total of 368 student samples were randomly selected by multi-stage sampling. Data were collected through the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Exploratory factor analysis, Confirmatory factor analysis and Structural equation modelling (SEM) were used for the data analysis. The results indicated that the learning happiness of clinical dental students was influenced by social support and psychological capital (path coefficient of 0.82 and 0.54, respectively). Both variables were able to explain approximately 84.0 per cent of the variance in learning happiness among the samples. Besides, it was found that social support influenced both psychological capital and self-esteem (path coefficient of 0.66 and 0.54, respectively). Furthermore, the data showed that psychological capital had an influence on self-esteem (path coefficient of 0.59). Evidently, social support variables had the most influence on students’ learning happiness, which included support from teachers, family, and friends. Therefore, this factor should be advocated for clinical dental students in terms of emotional support, instrumental and service support, and informational support to ensure that they can study and work happily in a clinic.

The Analysis of School’s Roles on the Oral Health of School Students in Mixed Thai-migrant Primary School under the Concept of Ecological Model: A Mixed-method Study at Ban Hauy-Som School, Chiang Mai

Thatsanee Saladyanant, Piyaporn Jankham — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The study objective is to describe the school’s roles in students' oral health under the Ecological model. In the school year 2022, a cross-sectional mixed-method study was performed at Ban Huay-Som Primary School, Sanpatong district, Chiang Mai, where the ratio of Thai to migrant students was 1.8:1. The school director and teachers were interviewed for student’s oral health behaviors and school management information while student’s parents were asked to answer the questionnaire about their children’s behaviors at home. The Functional Oral Health Literacy Test was administered to 67 students in grades 4-6. Oral health records showed an increased caries rate in Thai and migrant students compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Even though 23% of students neglected to brush before bed and 73% frequently consumed unhealthy snacks at home, 100% of them kept brushing their teeth at school every day after lunch, and the oral health literacy score was adequate (x ̅=21.5 ± 2.96). Results from the content analysis showed the school’s roles in students’ oral health as follows; 1) at an individual level, manipulating oral health projects to improve oral health literacy and oral health behavior, 2) at an interpersonal level, motivating teachers’ awareness on students’ oral health, 3) at an organization and policy level: giving precedence to school health promotion policies, 4) at a community level: cooperating with local organizations for oral health services. In conclusion: schools should equally give an opportunity to maintain good oral health for every student.

Study Results of the Oral Health Care Program for Diabetic Patients with Periodontitis Condition Banthi Hospital, Lamphun Province

Chiunrudee Klomkaew — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Diabetes is a major global health issue that significantly impacts the quality of life of patients, including effects on oral health. To examine the periodontal condition and the effects of oral healthcare in diabetic patients, the study aimed to compare knowledge scores and oral health care behaviors before and after receiving dental care from dental professionals. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a sample of 51 diabetic patients who had at least 20 natural teeth and periodontal pockets deeper than 3 millimeters, who received care at the diabetes clinic of Banthi Hospital in Lamphun Province. The data collection tools included an oral health care outcome survey and a knowledge test on oral health care. The study was conducted from January to June 2024. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and Paired Sample t-Test. The results revealed that the average age of participants was 61 years, with an average weight of 63.9 kilograms and an average blood glucose level of 141.2 mg/dL. Most participants demonstrated inadequate oral health care behaviors, such as not using interproximal cleaning devices and infrequently visiting the dentist. After receiving oral health care from dental professionals, there was a significant reduction in periodontal conditions and a notable improvement in oral health knowledge (p-value < 0.05). In conclusion, enhancing the oral health care program for diabetic patients with periodontitis condition at Banthi hospital, Lamphun province delivered by dental professionals effectively improved the oral health care behaviors and overall oral health of diabetic patients, which may help reduce diabetes-related complications.

Evaluation of the Dentures and Dental Implants Project in Honor of His Majesty the King on the Auspicious Occasion of His 72nd Birthday Anniversary, July 28, 2024, in Health Region 10, 2024

Kansiri Topothai, Sirirat Weeradet, Siripin Sirisophaphong, Jenwit Sornpom — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research is cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the dentures and dental implants in the 10^th Public Health Region, (October 2022–September 2024) utilizing the CIPP model to assess program implementation, operational performance, and the quality of life among service recipients. The study covered the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, and Mukdahan. Data collection was conducted from January to March 2024 through document review and fieldwork involving three groups: 1) 5 provincial public health office executives, 2) 28 project dentists, consisting of chief dental officers and program coordinators, both of which were purposively selected for evaluation. 3) 56 project recipients who had received Implant-retained overdentures for at least six months and consented to participate. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using statistical methods to compare mean scores of oral health-related quality of life with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at a p-value of 0.05. In terms of context, there are 23 dental implant service units, which the responsibilities were being fairly distributed across the covered area.
In terms of input, there was a 100% adherence to every provincial placement implementation. For instance, support for developing dental personnel's skills in implant placement, dentures accessibility all healthcare schemes. Dental implant funding from the National Health Security Fund based on patient numbers. Material resources include support for innovative grade IV titanium dental implants. For process, denture patients were primarily treated at hospitals while proactively screened and provided with education outside service area. Output data, by the fourth quarter (September 30, 2024), both dental implant placements and denture services had reached 100% completion. Success factors included effective planning, supportive systems, and technological utilization. Quality of life improvements were significant in seven aspects: eating, speaking, oral hygiene, emotional stability, smiling, working, and social interactions (p-value < 0.05). Overall, project recipients reported high satisfaction. The study showed improvement in quality of life, and satisfaction in patients through effective proactive interventions. Expanding dental implant coverage is highly recommended.

Oral Health Service System and Service Model Strengthening for Pregnant Women Under National Health Insurance Schemes: A Current Situation in Bangkok

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This cross-sectional mixed-methodexploratory study aimed to explore and synthesize policy recommendations for developing alternative oral health services for pregnant women in Bangkok and related national health insurance schemes. The methodology included qualitative data collection from 46 stakeholders (policy stakeholders, antenatal and oral health service providers, and pregnant women as service recipients) through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions about policies to reduce oral health inequalities, service arrangements, experiences, and expectations. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires from 388 Thai pregnant women in Bangkok regarding general information, oral health status, oral health behaviors, service utilization, and opinions on service alternatives. Findings revealed that policy stakeholders proposed reducing disparities by expanding service units to include private sectors, extending benefit packages, and increasing service reimbursement. While service providers offered specialized oral health services for pregnant women, recipients reported limited-service units, insufficient publicity, lack of awareness about prenatal oral health benefit packages, and constraints related to time, convenience, and coverage. Additionally, service follow-up systems were incomplete with disconnected information. Survey results showed 61.3% of pregnant women received oral health examinations, only 24.2% received oral prophylaxis and polishing, 61.0% had caries, 75.2% had calculus, and only 59.8% were not aware of oral health benefit packages during pregnancy. The study concludes that policies should be developed to promote awareness of oral health benefit packages and improve service accessibility for pregnant women. Especially regarding access to oral health promotion services and disease prevention for civil service beneficiaries and insured persons under the social security insurance, to make access more convenient through service innovation clinics, based on provider and recipient perspectives alongside relevant academic evidence.

A Survey of Dentists' Educational Needs for Further Education in Dental Public Health

Rattanun Losupakarn — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This cross-sectional survey study aimed to investigate the needs of dentists for further education in dental public health and to analyze factors associated with their interest in pursuing such education. Data were collected from August 2023 to August 2024. A total of 361 dentists under the Ministry of Public Health were recruited using non-probability snowball sampling. Data were collected through an online questionnaire comprising three sections: general information, dental public health workload, and further education needs in dental public health. Both descriptive statistics and analytical statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that 130 dentists (36.0%) expressed interest in pursuing further education in dental public health. This interest was significantly associated with the main workplace, public health-related responsibilities, and the need to conduct research, either for job requirements or career advancement. The primary motivations were enhancing knowledge (83.1%) and career advancement (63.1%). The most desired topic of study was public health and dental public health administration (69.2%). The preferred program structure was a 4-month short course incorporating both theoretical and practical components (42.3), delivered through blended learning (61.5%). The most influential factor for pursuing further education in dental public health was the appropriateness of study duration (77.7%), while the major barrier was the inability to take study leave (38.6%). In summary, approximately one-third of dentists were interested in further education in dental public health. Short-term blended learning program was the most preferred format. The findings provide valuable insights for developing continuing education programs in dental public health that align with dentists’ needs and constraints.

Meaning, Value, and Patterns of the Betel Quid Chewing among Elderly in Ban Peng Keling, Mae Chan Subdistrict, Umphang District, Tak Province

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This qualitative study aimed to examine the meanings, values, and patterns of betel quid chewing among the elderly in Ban Peng Keling, Mae Chan Sub-district, Umphang District, Tak Province. This area, located along the Thai–Myanmar border, is notable for its extensive areca palm cultivation and has the highest reported incidence of oral cancer in the district. Betel quid chewing remains a prevalent cultural practice among the elderly population. Data were collected from 13 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above, selected through purposive sampling. All participants were current or former betel quid chewers and were able to communicate in either Thai or Karen languages. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted between August and December 2024. The study found that the meanings associated with betel quid chewing among the elderly in Ban Peng Keling could be categorized into three main themes: Betel quid chewing as a leisure activity, perceived as a normal and enjoyable part of daily life; even children, teenagers, and adults in the community enjoy chewing. It is further perceived as relatively harmless, with key informants believing that betel quid poses minimal risk to oral health, while also serving as a means to alleviate drowsiness and enhance alertness. Regarding the patterns of betel quid chewing in the community, two types were identified: homemade betel quid and betel quid purchased from local shops. The elderly preferred homemade betel quid, citing better taste, cleanliness, and safety compared to the shop-bought variety. It is recommended that knowledge dissemination on the health risks of betel quid chewing should be enhanced among the elderly.