Introduction: Childhood oral diseases are considered a significant public health issue due to their impact on children’s general health, quality of life, and academic performance. Dental care, often costly and time-consuming, tends to be neglected, exacerbating the accumulation of unmet dental needs. Comprehensive oral health programs (COHP) incorporating both preventive and curative components may prove highly effective in improving the oral and general health of children. Aim: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a COHP in improving oral health, along with its potential benefits upon general health, academic performance, and overall quality of life of children. Methodology: A need-based COHP was implemented in a primary school (222 school children) over a period of two years in a rural setup in South India. Assessments of oral health, absenteeism, and academic performance were conducted at baseline. Additional parameters, such as Years Lost to Disability (YLD) and quality of life, were measured. Economic evaluation of the program was also undertaken to assess the overall effectiveness of the program. Results: Mean caries reduction among the intervention group was 4.6 ± 4.1 compared to a caries increment of 2.20 ± 0.65 in the control group. Significant differences were observed in absenteeism, oral hygiene, and caries risk assessment, YLD, and Child Perception Questionnaire scores as well. Economic evaluation demonstrated that for every INR 194 (USD 2.33) spent per child annually on the program, the control group would incur at least INR 1607(USD 19.26) in curative treatment costs. Conclusions: The COHP significantly improved the oral health and quality of life of the participating school children. Moreover, the cost of the program was approximately one-eighth that required for the control group, underscoring the COHP as a cost-effective and sustainable healthcare intervention to achieve oral health goals.
Fareed et al. (Thu,) studied this question.