Creating a textured book for oral health among preschool-children

Poor oral hygiene in young children is a major public health problem that is affected by many societal, communal, and environmental factors. Children as young as 12 months old can get early childhood caries (ECC), which can impact their growth, development, and quality of life. ECC affects between 6% and 90% of people around the world, so kids in preschool need to learn good oral health habits. The study's objective is to create an explained book model that can be used to teach preschoolers about good oral care and get around the problems with current methods. The textured book model was developed with input from faculties from Public Health Dentistry, Pedodontics and pre-school teachers. Questionnaires assessing face, content, construct and criterion validity through a Likert scale captured detailed feedback. The glossy book, made with design tools and printed on cloth, met all four validity criteria, indicating its effectiveness as a teaching tool. This study assessed the validity of an assessment questionnaire for a textured book model aimed at improving oral hygiene knowledge among young learners. Strong correlations were found between overall scores and items Q4, Q5, and Q7 (p<0.001). Factor analysis revealed three key dimensions—comprehensiveness, relevance, and effectiveness—demonstrating the model’s efficacy in promoting positive oral hygiene practices. Content validity ratio was obtained using the Lawshe Method, and estimated to be 0.83. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which was 0.81. The significant level was set at p-value <0.05. The textured book model is a fun and engaging way to encourage preschoolers to care for their teeth. It combines learning with play, making it an effective tool to teach good dental habits that can last a lifetime.