Evaluation on the effectiveness of a peer led video on oral hygiene education in young children

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a peer-led oral hygiene education video in improving oral hygiene knowledge and behaviour in year 2 (6- to 7-year-old) and year 3 (7- to 8-year-old) children. A novel peer-led oral hygiene education video was created, in which a group of 6- to 10-year-old children delivered key oral hygiene messages. The video was then shown to children of the same age group, whom oral hygiene knowledge and behaviours were assessed before and after the video. Results found that the video was an effective method of improving overall oral hygiene knowledge. It was effective in improving specific aspects of oral hygiene such as knowledge of the frequency of brushing and toothpaste amount, and in the behaviour of using the toothbrush in a circular motion. It was not an effective method in improving the overall oral hygiene knowledge and behaviour of Year Two children, demonstrating children may develop significantly in just 1 year.

Keywords:

• Oral health education
• peer-led education
• educational video
• children’s oral hygiene

Acknowledgements

The researchers thank and acknowledge RAISED in Yorkshire (RiY), Open Wide, the University of Leeds Medical and Dental Illustration team, Dr. Richard Balmer, Dr. Hayat Alghutaimel, Dr. Sophy Barber, Dr. Sarah Ainscough, Esme Grange and Lisa Mercer for making this study possible.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for this study was granted by the University of Leeds Dental Student Research Ethics Committee (Reference number: FYP2018DRWYB).

Disclosure statement

All authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.