Background: High sugar consumption is a major contributor to dental caries in children. Schools, being central to children’s daily routines, offer a strategic setting for preventive health interventions. Materials and Methods: A 12-month cluster-controlled, non-randomized interventional study was conducted across five primary schools involving 400 children aged 6–12 years. Two schools (n = 160) received a multifaceted sugar monitoring program comprising daily sugar intake tracking, monthly dietary counseling, and oral health education. Three schools (n = 240) served as controls with standard curriculum. Caries incidence was assessed using DMFT/deft indices at baseline and after 12 months. Statistical analyses (paired t-tests, ANOVA, and regression with confounder adjustment) were performed, though clustering at the school level was not accounted for. Results: At baseline, mean DMFT/deft scores were comparable (intervention: 2.8±0.6; control: 2.6±0.7). After 12 months, intervention group scores declined to 1.9±0.5 (p<0.001), while control scores increased to 3.2±0.8 (p = 0.04). New caries incidence was significantly lower in the intervention group (12.5%) versus control (28.3%). Awareness of sugar intake improved from 45% to 78% in the intervention group. Conclusion: The school-based sugar monitoring program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing caries incidence and improving dietary awareness. Incorporating such interventions into school health policies could play a pivotal role in pediatric oral health promotion
Moothedath et al. (Fri,) studied this question.