The effect of the oral health program offered by BanDan Hospital well child clinic to children aged 0 to 5

Abstract

This study was quasi-experimental research with the main objective to study the effects of the oral health program in children aged 0-5 years at the well-child clinic, Ban Dan Hospital.The specific objective was to compare the knowledge of oral health care of children of parents and oral hygiene practices between the experimental group and the comparison group. The sample group consisted of children aged 0-5 years and their parents at the well-child clinic, Ban Dan Hospital. The sample group was selected by purposive sampling accorded to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria into 2 groups, 30 people per group. The experimental group received a health care program based on the social cognitive learning theory and the self-efficacy theory. The study was conducted between March 1, 2024 and August 31, 2024. The tools used for data collection include a general information question for parents and children about oral health care knowledge, oral hygiene practices, an oral health survey form, and an oral health program. The consistency between the questions and the objectives was checked, with a consistency index of 0.66–1.00. The reliability of the questionnaire was checked using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, knowledge of oral health care values ​​of 0.72, and oral hygiene practices values ​​of 0.71. Statistical analysis was done by percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, and independent t-test with a significance level of 0.05.

The study results found that most parents is mothers, general laborers, farmers, and permanent employees, and have completed high school/vocational certificate education and children aged 0-5 years are mostly male and drink UHT milk. The average score of knowledge in oral health care of the experimental group was higher than that of the comparison group. Statistically significant difference (p=0.000). Compare the oral hygiene practices of the experimental group to the comparison group. Not statistically different (p = 0.176). The results of this research can be used as a guideline for operations and improvements to promote and prevent dental health care in children aged 0-5 years.