Randomized controlled trial shows significant improvement in oral hygiene knowledge and practices among hearing-impaired children, indicating innovative health education methods are effective.
Hearing-impaired children face unique communication and learning challenges, requiring tailored oral health education. This study assessed the effectiveness of a custom-designed sign language cartoon film in improving oral hygiene knowledge and practices among hearing-impaired children. A randomized controlled trial included 90 children aged 6-12, divided equally into an intervention group receiving the cartoon-based education and a control group with no intervention. Baseline assessments covered audiometry, plaque and gingival indices, and oral health knowledge/practices via questionnaire. Follow-ups occurred at 6 and 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests. Baseline variables showed no significant group differences (p > 0.05). Postintervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher oral health knowledge (12.38 ± 1.14 vs. 1.64 ± 1.17; p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 9.3). At 12 weeks, plaque (0.34 ± 0.40 vs. 2.21 ± 0.53; p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 3.98) and gingival index scores (0.10 ± 0.28 vs. 1.86 ± 0.54; p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 4.09) were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the controls. Sign language cartoon films effectively enhance oral hygiene knowledge and practices in hearing-impaired children, highlighting the value of inclusive, innovative health education methods for this underserved group.
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Ghannam et al. (2025) studied this question.
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