Assessing The Impact of an Oral Health Education Program on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Bedouin Tribes in Sinai: A Before and After Study

Background: The Bedouin communities in Egypt's Sinai region face significant barriers to oral health education and services, contributing to poor oral hygiene and related outcomes. Addressing these disparities requires culturally tailored interventions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a dental health education program in improving oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and clinical outcomes among Bedouin and non-Bedouin populations in Sinai. Subjects and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving pre- and post-intervention assessments of 300 participants (aged 10–65). Stratified random sampling ensured representation from various settlements. Data were collected using the validated Arabic version of the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI) and oral examinations using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. Statistical analyses included paired and independent t-tests, correlation, and regression analyses. Results: Significant improvements were observed in HU-DBI scores post-intervention: overall score increased from 6.1 to 9.2 (p < 0.001), with notable gains in knowledge (56%), attitudes (73.3%), and behaviors (28.6%). The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index improved by 32% (p < 0.001). Non-Bedouin participants and females demonstrated higher post-intervention scores. Strong negative correlations were found between HU-DBI sub-scores and oral hygiene, indicating that improved knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were associated with better clinical outcomes. Conclusion: The dental health education program significantly enhanced oral health awareness and behaviors, leading to measurable improvements in oral hygiene, particularly among females and non-Bedouins. Culturally adapted oral health interventions are effective in underserved populations.