Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an incremental school-based oral health program at one primary school children in Daegu, Korea. Methods: Baseline dental examination was carried out for 76 first grade school children benefited from the incremental school-based oral health program in 2004. Then the subjects’oral health status were examined at every May for next 2 years. Among of them, 56 children were completely followed for 3 years. School-based oral health programs included oral health education, oral examination, fluoride mouthrinsing, pit-and-fissure sealants, fluoride gel application, mechanical plaque control, and chewing xylitol candy. Statistical analysis were applied to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based oral health programs using SPSS statistical package. Results: The DMF rates were 9.4% at 2004, 16.1% at 2005, and 17.9% at 2006 of children benefited from the incremental school-based oral health program, respectively. The DMFT(DMFS) index were 0.18(0.23) at 2004, 0.27(0.36) at 2005, and 0.32(0.45) at 2006 of children benefited from the incremental school-based oral health program, respectively. The DMF rates, DMFT indices and DMFS indices of this study were slightly lower than those of National Oral Health Suvey, 2003. The major cause of dental caries incidence was due to not sealing of pit-and-fissure, and dental caries incidence of permanent teeth was the most prevalent in the first molars. Conclusions: This study suggest that the incremental school-based oral health program can be effective for the prevention of dental caries, thereby promoting the oral health of the school children.