Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 5

Effectiveness of Dental Health Education Program Using Digital Aids in Dental Clinics

1Professor& Former Associate Dean, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

2Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

3Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding author: Dr. Kundabala M, Professor & Former Associate Dean, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru., Karnataka, India., Affiliated to Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Email: kunda.kamath@manipal.edu, Phone: +91-9845837187

Online published on 29 May, 2018.

Abstract

Health promotion improves the health of the population and promotes health capital. Use of teaching technology presents many challenges, but it achieves goals beyond the learning objectives of a single class and helps to support future public health activities.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate and to compare the effectiveness of Dental Health Education program using digital aids with conventional methods in improving oral health knowledge, practices and oral health status of patients visiting dental clinics.

This study utilized the “Activated Health Education Model”. 150no. individuals divided randomly into 2 groups of 75 each for conventional technique and digital technique. Pre-education questionnaire evaluated oral health knowledge, awareness and attitude from all the samples. Pre-education plaque index, DMFT and gingival scores were recorded. Education was conducted by digital and conventional methods. 3 months post education mean scores with standard deviation were tabulated for both conventional and digital education techniques. Statistical analysis of Variance was done using one way Anova test and conclusions were drawn.

Dental education has a definite role in improving patient knowledge, awareness regarding oral health. Digital education technique is similar to conventional education technique in health promotion.

Keywords

Digital education technique, Activated Health Education Model, oral health