Long-Term Effect of an Oral Health Promotion Program for Schoolchildren after the Interruption of Educational Activities

This study aimed to verify the long-term effects of an oral-health-promotion program for 203 schoolchildren 24 months after the interruption of educational activities. They were clinically examined to assess dental plaque and gingival bleeding at baseline, immediately after the educational phase (EP), and 12 and 24 months after withdrawal of the EP. The mean plaque scores gradually increased after interruption of the EP,and in the last assessment they were higher than the baseline scores, but similar to the ones verified 12 months after withdrawal of the EP. The mean gingival bleeding scores were maintained after interruption of the EP. However, it was verified that in the last assessment they were lower than the previous evaluations. And, in all analyses, it was far from the baseline mean scores (P < 0.05). Analysis indicated that the duration of the program favorably influenced its outcome.

dental health education, oral health promotion, dental plaque, gingival bleeding, schoolchildren

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