Evaluation of the effect of oral and dentalhealth education provided to 3-5 years age groupchildren via model and video methods on dentalhabits and caries incidence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral and dental health status of children aged 3-5, to examine their behaviors regarding dental health, and to improve their existing oral care habits using model and video training methods and compare these methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 282 children aged 3-5, randomized into 3 groups, attending six private kindergartens affiliated to the Kartal, Pendik, Tuzla District Directorate of National Education in Istanbul. Firstly, a survey was administered to parents to learn their knowledge about their children's oral and dental health. Intraoral examinations were performed on all children, and their dental and gingival health status was examined using ICDAS II, plaque and gingival indices. For six months; 1st group was trained with the model method, 2nd group was trained with the video method, and 3rd group was determined as control group and was not trained. Six months later, parent surveys and intraoral examinations were conducted again and changes and gains in children's oral and dental health knowledge were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant positive changes were observed in the oral and dental health- related behavior of the children in the group who received training with models or videos. In addition, there was a statistically significant positive change after the training in the knowledge that these children should brush their teeth regularly and correctly, use dental floss and fluoride children's toothpaste, clean their tongue, reduce unhealthy snack consumption and visit the dentist regularly, with parental support (p < 0.05). While a statistically significant change was detected in plaque index scores of the trained groups (p<0.05), there was no statistically significant change in gingival index (p>0.05). While there was no significant difference between the model method and video methods in oral and dental health education, model education was found to be more successful when ICDAS II and plaque indexes were evaluated in terms of its effect on caries incidence. CONCLUSION: As a result, both model and video education methods increase children's oral and dental health and knowledge level, and model education is more effective in reducing the incidence of caries. Keywords: Kindergarten Children, Oral Hygiene Education, Model Education, Video Education, Preventive Dentistry.