Abstract
Objective: The oral health status during whose elementary school age is very important because itwould be a basis of whose life long oral health status. This study was conducted to propose thefundamental data for further developments of the school dental clinic program (SDCP) throughevaluating comprehensive improvements of the indices relating to oral health status and acceptance ofSDCP subjected on the students, their parents and teachers who had experienced the program.Methods: The subjects were total 8,849 person composed of 3,904 students ofsecond to fourth grade,4,734 parents and teachers fon-n the 8 elementary school in Ulsan metropolitan city area that have beenoperating SDCP from 1999 to 2005. The subject schools were classified as the five longer operationperiod grouP (LOG) that started SDCP from 2005 or 2004, and the three shorter operation period group(SOG) that started SDCP from 2000 or 1999. The questionnaire survey on the knowledges, attitudesand practices for oral health, recognition and supports of SDCP were carried out from June 24 to July13, 2007. Data analysis were done with SPSS program through frequency analysis, chi-square test andodds ratio (95% confidence interval).Results: For the students by grade, the recognition level for fluoride effect (P < 0.001) and sealant effect(P < 0.001) for caries prevention, the experience level for fluoride toothpaste use (P < 0.001), oral healtheducation (P < 0.001), use of school dental clinic (P=0.002), the practice level for tooth brushing morethan 3 times per day (P < 0.001), rolling tooth brushing (P < 0.001), and the level of change brushingmethod after the education (P < 0.001) were higher in the higher grade students, however, the experiencelevel of dental sealant (P=0.080) was higher in the lower grade students. By the operation period groupin the whole grades, the recognition level for fluoride efFect (P=0.002) and sealant efFect (P=0.004) forcaries prevention, the experience level ofdental sealant (P < 0.001), oral health education (P< 0.040),the practice level for rolling tooth brushing (P=0.097) were higher m LOG, however, the response levelfor 'the education is helpful' (P < 0.001) was higher in SOG. The practice level for tooth brushing morethan 3 times per day, always tooth brushing after lunch, and the level of change brushing method afterthe education showed difference results by the grades.Conclusion: The positive effects of SDCP to assist the students' oral heath were apparent with higherimprovements of the recognition and practices in higher grade and in LOG, and, satisfaction andsupports of the parents and teachers. The efforts for keeping the continuity should be emphasizedincluding the higher interests, more active participation, and strengthened education. The systematicsupports from the authorities ofschool and national health department would be also important.