Smiling for the Future: How School-Based Dental Initiatives Boost Oral Health in Pakistan

Authors

  • Preh Ayub Abro
  • Durr-e-Sadaf
  • Muhammad Bilal
  • Naseer Ahmed
  • Haris Rehman
  • Farrukh Imran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i32S.10195

Keywords:

Oral health, school-based intervention, dental caries, DMFT, OHI-S, Pakistan, children

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health problems, particularly dental caries and poor hygiene, are highly prevalent among school-going children in Pakistan. School-based interventions offer a practical approach to promote preventive oral health behaviors and reduce disease burden at an early age.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 300 children aged 6–12 years in selected schools of Karachi, Pakistan. A multistage sampling technique was used. Baseline data on oral hygiene practices and clinical parameters (DMFT/dmft and OHI-S indices) were collected, followed by a 3-month school-based dental intervention including oral health education, supervised toothbrushing, and screening. Post-intervention assessment was conducted using the same measures. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive Statistics, Paired t-test, and Chi-square test were applied, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results: Significant improvements were observed in oral hygiene practices, with the proportion of children brushing twice daily increasing from 38% to 76% (p<0.001). Use of fluoride toothpaste increased, while sugary snack consumption decreased significantly (p<0.001). Mean DMFT/dmft scores reduced from 2.84 ± 1.12 to 2.10 ± 1.05, and OHI-S scores improved from 2.35 ± 0.76 to 1.42 ± 0.68 (p<0.001younger There was an increased improvement of behavior in children (p=0.041).

Conclusion: School based dental programs have shown to be effective in enhancing oral-hygiene behavior and clinical outcomes among children and needs to be incorporated into the public health initiatives in Pakistan.

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Published

2025-11-07

How to Cite

1.
Abro PA, Durr-e-Sadaf D- e-S, Bilal M, Ahmed N, Rehman H, Imran F. Smiling for the Future: How School-Based Dental Initiatives Boost Oral Health in Pakistan. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 7 [cited 2026 May 22];14(32S):10827-33. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/10195

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 32S (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

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