In India, dental diseases are mainly due to poor oral hygiene, lack of knowledge on oral health, poor access to dental care and socio-cultural factors. Furthermore, poor oral health among children has been related to decreased school performance, poor social relationships and less success later in life due to the missed days in school. As per the WHO reports, 486 millions of children suffer from tooth decay of milk teeth and more than fifty million school hours are lost each year because of poor oral health. Therefore, school based oral health education programs are necessary to create awareness among children about oral health for a healthy smile.

1. 17STUDENT DIGEST | MUMBAI | JANUARY 2020
In India, dental diseases are mainly
due to poor oral hygiene, lack of
knowledge on oral health, poor access
to dental care and socio-cultural
factors. Furthermore, poor oral health
among children has been related to
decreased school performance, poor
social relationships and less success
later in life due to the missed days in
school. As per the WHO reports, 486
millions of children suffer from tooth
decay of milk teeth and more than
fifty million school hours are lost
each year because of poor oral health.
Therefore, school based oral health
education programs are necessary
to create awareness among children
about oral health for a healthy smile.
School Oral Health Education
School based oral health education is
an educational process that aims to
form or change behaviour of students
through knowledge and to improve
their oral health.Oral health education
is important as good physical and
mental health is critical to a student’s
ability to learn, lead healthy lives and
avoid high risk behaviours. Dental
education helps students to learn the
importance of oral health, common
oral health problems, preventive
Author
Dr. Kamala D. N.
Dental Surgeon
Bangalore, Karnataka
Healthy Smiles,
Happy Children
in the planning and implementation
of oral health preventive programmes.
Since children spend a considerable
amount of time with teachers during
their school education, it becomes
the responsibility of the teachers,
by virtue of their training to impart
such knowledge to the children. Most
teachers in developing countries have
poor knowledge about oral health.
Educating teachers helps to gain
knowledge, promote good oral health
to students that will last a lifetime
and prevention of dental diseases.
It also boosts self-esteem and
enhances knowledge on oral health.
Teachers will be better equipped to
enlighten the children thus leading
to an improved oral health for both
teachers and students.
Good Health, Good Education
The good oral health practices are
necessary from a young age to ensure
positive long-term dental and general
health. The inclusion of oral health
education in schools incorporates the
acquisition of knowledge, the mastery
of skills and prevention of dental
diseases. Dental health education
improves children’s quality of life,
their performance at school and their
success later in life. Dental education
in school is a key component of a
healthy school environment and a
proven strategy for ensuring healthy
smiles in children.
methods and nutritious foods for
healthy life. Dental education help
students to acquire knowledge,
the necessary skills and to create
conditions in which all students can
succeed later in life.
School Dental Health
Check-up
Dental check-up or screening
programmes at school facilitates
the assessment of a child’s dental
health, recognize problems early on
and help to recommend appropriate
precautions and intervention. It
reduces the cost of treatment and
transportation for school children.
Dental screening helps children
remain healthy and parents take
charge of their child’s health. Health of
school staff, families and community
members can be enhanced. The
collaboration between oral health
personnel, teachers and students
helpsdeveloppositiveattitudeinthem.
School based oral health programmes
can bring comprehensive oral care to
school children.
School Teacher’s Role and
Training
School teachers play an important role
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