Authors :
Dr. Jitendra Rao; Dr. Anshdha Shah; Dr. Kalpana Singh; Dr. Piyush Kumar Chaudhary; Dr. Shraddha Mishra; Dr. Archita Agarwal
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/gu88
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3D9PxKt
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6383524
Abstract :
School teachers have a significant impact
on school going children especially at a younger age.
Using primary school teachers for the purpose of
education and increasing awareness about oral hygiene
practices provides access to a larger population,
improved communication and low activity costs.
Materials and Methods: This survey was conducted in
Lucknow District where school teachers from fifteen
primary schools were included. A total of 33 teachers of
these schools were enrolled for training program. The
questionnaire consisted of 3 parts knowledge, attitude
and practices. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts
knowledge, attitude and practices. Mean knowledge,
attitude and practice score was calculated initially and
after 1 year of training. The level of significance was set
at 0.05.
Result: Prior to the teacher training programme more
than 50% of the subjects seemed to have appropriate
knowledge regarding the cause of calculus deposits on
the tooth surface and bleeding gums. Almost all the
individuals seem to think that toothbrush is the most
appropriate tool to practice oral hygiene, however, not
all of them seem to know the importance of flossing.
Most of the individuals did not use a toothbrush of
appropriate hardness/ softness. Answers of slightly more
than half of the teachers suggested that they had
occasionally suffered from toothache and bleeding
gums.the score for any of the questions does not show a
statistically significant change.
Discussion: The evaluation of the knowledge prior to the
implementation of the training programme shows that
most individuals had average knowledge regarding oral
diseases such as dental caries, bleeding gums and about
hard tissue deposits. After the implementation of the
training programme the attitudes regarding means of
maintenance of oral hygiene showed no difference. Most
of the did not use a toothbrush of appropriate hardness/
softness. Answers of slightly more than half of the
teachers suggested that they had occasionally suffered
from toothache and bleeding gums. the score for any of
the questions does not show a statistically significant
change
Conclusion: The teacher training programme held did
improve their knowledge and attitudes to some extent
however, motivation to improve their current practices
regarding their oral health remained lacking. Thus,
assessment of the needs of a specific area should be done
to formulate a customized teacher training programme
that focuses on the weaker points
School teachers have a significant impact
on school going children especially at a younger age.
Using primary school teachers for the purpose of
education and increasing awareness about oral hygiene
practices provides access to a larger population,
improved communication and low activity costs.
Materials and Methods: This survey was conducted in
Lucknow District where school teachers from fifteen
primary schools were included. A total of 33 teachers of
these schools were enrolled for training program. The
questionnaire consisted of 3 parts knowledge, attitude
and practices. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts
knowledge, attitude and practices. Mean knowledge,
attitude and practice score was calculated initially and
after 1 year of training. The level of significance was set
at 0.05.
Result: Prior to the teacher training programme more
than 50% of the subjects seemed to have appropriate
knowledge regarding the cause of calculus deposits on
the tooth surface and bleeding gums. Almost all the
individuals seem to think that toothbrush is the most
appropriate tool to practice oral hygiene, however, not
all of them seem to know the importance of flossing.
Most of the individuals did not use a toothbrush of
appropriate hardness/ softness. Answers of slightly more
than half of the teachers suggested that they had
occasionally suffered from toothache and bleeding
gums.the score for any of the questions does not show a
statistically significant change.
Discussion: The evaluation of the knowledge prior to the
implementation of the training programme shows that
most individuals had average knowledge regarding oral
diseases such as dental caries, bleeding gums and about
hard tissue deposits. After the implementation of the
training programme the attitudes regarding means of
maintenance of oral hygiene showed no difference. Most
of the did not use a toothbrush of appropriate hardness/
softness. Answers of slightly more than half of the
teachers suggested that they had occasionally suffered
from toothache and bleeding gums. the score for any of
the questions does not show a statistically significant
change
Conclusion: The teacher training programme held did
improve their knowledge and attitudes to some extent
however, motivation to improve their current practices
regarding their oral health remained lacking. Thus,
assessment of the needs of a specific area should be done
to formulate a customized teacher training programme
that focuses on the weaker points
