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My Mouth Matters

An Evidence-Based Practice

This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.

Description

My Mouth Matters was a school-based dental health program implemented in schools to improve the oral hygiene and dental knowledge of 10-year-old children. Children in the intervention received a dental health education program, which consisted of four, one-hour sessions. The program was designed to fit into the national curriculum's Key Stage 2, which centers on group work and discussions to learn new knowledge. The lessons were based on interactive activities in groups of 5 to 7 students, led by a qualified dental nurse who had received one day of training on the program. The lessons focused on the following four topics: 1) tooth function and appearance, 2) diet and its effect on teeth, 3) toothbrushing and the use of disclosing tablets, and 4) a review of dietary topics and toothbrushing. The program involved parents and caregivers through three home-based projects. The My Mouth Matters program, including the facilitator handbook, is available at no cost from the University of Manchester.

Goal / Mission

The goal of My Mouth Matters was to raise dental health awareness, improve knowledge, and reduce plaque.

Results / Accomplishments

The program was evaluated using a cluster randomized trial, comparing the intervention group to a control group. At a four-month follow-up students in the intervention group had a 20% lower mean plaque score than students in the control group (p < 0.001). At a seven-month follow up students in the intervention group had a 17% lower mean plaque score (p < 0.001). Dental health knowledge had improved in both groups at the four-month follow-up, but the intervention group scored significantly higher on the questionnaire than the control group (94% vs. 83%, p < 0.001). This difference in knowledge persisted at the seven-month follow-up (96% vs. 81%).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Primary Contact
Dr. Anthony Blinkhorn
University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Higher Cambridge Street
Manchester M15 7FH
England
+44 (0)161 306 0220
anthony.blinkhorn@man.ac.uk
http://www.dentistry.manchester.ac.uk/
Topics
Health / Oral Health
Health / Children's Health
Organization(s)
University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Source
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
Date of publication
2001
Date of implementation
Aug 1997
Location
England
For more details
Target Audience
Children
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance