Assessment of Oral Health Educational Program on oral health status of visually impaired children in New Delhi.

AIM

The present study was conducted with the aim to assess the effectiveness of Oral Health Education programme on Oral Health Status of visually impaired children in New Delhi. A specially designed oral health educational programme consisting of audio aid, Braille booklet and individualized training was implemented to educate and motivate visually impaired children for maintaining their oral health.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total sample size of 120 children in the age group of 5-15 years was selected and questionnaire based on WHO criteria 2013 was administrated. In oral examination caries status using DMFT/S and dmft/s and oral hygiene status using plaque index given by Sillness and Loe was evaluated at the baseline and re-evaluated after nine months. Oral Health Educational Programme was implemented and reinforced every month for nine months. Results showed that at the end of nine months 55.04% children started brushing twice daily as compared to 30% children at baseline. There was a statiscally significant decrease (0.1887±0.332) in plaque index scores at the end of nine months.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that Oral Health Educational Programme was effective in improving the oral hygiene status among visually impaired children.