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Manjula P,
- Principal & Head, Department of Community Health Nursing Sri Kalabyraveshwara Swamy College of Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Abstract
This quasi-experimental study evaluated a structured teaching program (STP) designed to improve oral hygiene knowledge and attitudes in 10–15-year-old students from a rural Bangalore community. Before the program, most students demonstrated limited understanding of dental care and negative attitudes toward oral hygiene. After the STP, both knowledge and favorable attitudes increased markedly (paired t-test, p<0.001). For example, the mean knowledge scores increased substantially after the intervention, demonstrating a level of improvement comparable to the 45% gain reported in similar school-based studies. This notable rise indicates that the educational activities were successful in enhancing students’ understanding of essential oral health concepts. Moreover, the proportion of children who displayed a “favorable” attitude toward oral care rose dramatically—from an initial 0% to nearly 70% following the program. Such a shift reflects not only improved awareness but also a meaningful change in their perception of dental hygiene practices. Overall, these outcomes highlight that structured, age-appropriate educational initiatives delivered within schools can significantly strengthen oral health literacy and cultivate more positive, health-promoting behaviors among children, aligning closely with both national and global public health goals.
Keywords: Oral hygiene, school-age children, structured teaching programme, knowledge, attitude, health promotion, nursing education.
Manjula P. Impact of School-Based Oral Hygiene Education on Knowledge and Attitude among School Children Aged 10–15 Years in a Selected Rural Community of Bangalore. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry. 2025; 17(01):-.
Manjula P. Impact of School-Based Oral Hygiene Education on Knowledge and Attitude among School Children Aged 10–15 Years in a Selected Rural Community of Bangalore. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry. 2025; 17(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjod/article=2025/view=234583
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Research and Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry
| Volume | 17 |
| 01 | |
| Received | 21/11/2025 |
| Accepted | 19/12/2025 |
| Published | 19/12/2025 |
| Publication Time | 40 Days |
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