ISSN 2756-3421
African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 3216-0216 Vol. 7 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Tangible incentive for promotion of oral hygiene in elementary pupils
Seyed Ebrahim Jabarifar1*, Parvin Khadem2, Maryam Rismanbaf3 and Firoozeh Nilchian3
1Hezarjerib Avenue, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan Dental School, Isfahan, Iran.
2Khorasgan Dental School, Isfahan, Iran.
3Isfahan Dental School, Isfahan, Iran.
Accepted 25 January, 2019
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of tangible incentive on oral hygiene task in fifth grade elementary pupils. 33 school students were included in this study and were divided into two groups. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) was measured in both groups at T0 (baseline), TI (initial), TS (second) and TT (third) stages. Those in the first group (Case group) were awarded, if they achieved low levels of OHI-S index after brushing of teeth. However, the control group was not awarded. The mean and standard deviation and percentage of changes of OHI-S score in the two groups were described and analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and Chi-square. The mean OHI-S score significantly decreased in the case group while the percentage change of this score increased in this group of students. This study indicated that oral hygiene program instruction supplemented with promising incentive can effectively improve tooth brushing performance in school children.
Key words: Oral hygiene, students, motivation, incentive, oral hygiene.