Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Comprehensive Oral Health Literacy Programs Among Schoolchildren

Introduction. Oral health of school-aged children is an essential part of the general health and social well-being of the younger generation. Poor oral hygiene, lack of dental hygiene skills, and low disease awareness are significant risk factors contributing to early development of caries, periodontal, and other dental diseases. According to the World Health Organization and domestic epidemiological studies, caries remains one of the most common chronic diseases in children, and its prevention requires not only clinical but also educational, organizational, and managerial decisions.

The purpose of the study was to summarize and scientifically analyze the existing experience in implementing comprehensive oral health literacy programs among schoolchildren and evaluate their effectiveness according to medical, hygienic, behavioral, and organizational criteria, as well as to elaborate practical recommendations for improving the prevention of oral diseases among the pediatric population.

Materials and methods. The study used data analysis from pilot prevention programs implemented in a number of subjects of the Russian Federation (Moscow, the Republic of Tatarstan, and Yaroslavl Region) using reporting materials from regional healthcare and education departments, questionnaires for schoolchildren and parents (n=1280), expert interviews with medical and educational specialists (n=36), and comparative assessment of the dynamics of dental morbidity indices (CPI, hygiene index) in test and control groups. The effectiveness was assessed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria, descriptive statistics, and content analysis methods.

Results. An analysis of prevention programs implemented in various regions of the Russian Federation and abroad allows to identify a number of key characteristics common to initiatives that have demonstrated sustained effectiveness in improving oral health literacy and reducing the prevalence of oral diseases among school-aged children.

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