| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 1 | Page : 33-36 |
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A study to assess the role of teachers in the promotion of oral health in developing countries
Mauli Simratvir
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, S.K.S.S. Dental College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Correspondence Address:
Mauli Simratvir
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, S.K.S.S. Dental College, Ludhiana, Punjab
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-7761.93406
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Introduction: With the recent shift in paradigm, dentistry has moved from restorations, replacements or extractions, toward early diagnosis, risk assessment, and prevention of dental diseases in children. Teachers can play a crucial role during the mentor years of the child by imparting oral health knowledge and inculcating positive health attitudes.
Aim: This study aims to relate the oral health status of teachers with children in different age groups and to demarcate a time when children would be most receptive to instructions.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and nineteen teachers (mean age 32.6 ± 3.4 years) and 1500 children divided into six age groups, from 4-10 years, of 250 each, attending selected schools, were examined and their decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) scores was recorded using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, by trained examiners.
Results: The results were statistically analyzed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. A significant positive correlation was seen between the DMFT of teachers and children in the seven-to-nine-year age group.
Conclusion: This points out the fact that awareness among teachers can play a pivotal role in health promotion among pupils. They are ideally positioned to inculcate a positive health attitude and refer children to a dental home in a timely manner. |
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