EFFECT OF ORAL HEALTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ON DENTAL CARIES AND ORAL HYGIENE IN A GROUP OF ORPHAN CHILDREN: A BEFORE AND AFTER STUDY

Aim: to assess the dental caries and oral hygiene status of orphans before and after an oral health educational program.Methodology: This study was conducted on 139 orphans aged from 7-17 years old residing in five different branches in Egypt (Wadi Hof- Dokki- Helwan- Masr El Gedida- 6th of October). The study took 2 months and was conducted on four phases including a reinforcement session after 1 month. Dental caries experience was recorded using (DMF, def) index and oral hygiene status was measured using (OHI-S) index. The educational materials such as brochures, posters and PowerPoint presentation were used, as well as the distribution of oral hygiene aids such as tooth brushes and tooth pastes.Results: There was a statistically significant difference before and after the educational program as the total mean of DMF decreased from (0.18) to (0.17), likewise total mean of def decreased from (0.92) to (0.73). Regarding oral hygiene, total participants with (good) score of the OHI-S increased from (0.83) to (1.59) and participants with (fair) score decreased from (1.76) to (1.7). Regarding Debris and Calculus index, the mean participants with good DI increased from (0.76) to (1.48). In addition, mean participants with good score of CI increased from (0.77) to (1.51).Conclusion: The program was effective because there was an overall decrease in caries levels and enhancement of oral hygiene status.