Clinical trial NCT06897956: Oral Health Educational Program on Oral Hygiene Knowledge and Practices in a Group of Orphan Children
Official title: Effect of Oral Health Educational Program on Oral Hygiene Knowledge and Practices in a Group of Orphan Children: A Before and After Study
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Dental Caries
Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Lead sponsor: Cairo University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-03-27
Enrollment: 139
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 7
Maximum age (years): 17
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: OTHER
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: This study is carried out at orphanages from different branches in Egypt. The study was conducted using a convenient sample of orphan children aged 7years and above.

Brief summary: An orphan is defined as "a child under the age of 18 whose mother, father, both parents, and a primary caregiver has died, and who is in need of care or protection". Orphans, therefore, are considered disadvantaged and socially marginalized population whom diseases burden is high. Egypt has 1.7 million orphaned children. The number of children between the age of 0 and 17 who are currently registered in orphanages is 12,015. Dental diseases especially plaque, gingival and dental caries are highly preventable, with the highest prevalence in the developing countries. Profound disparities exist in oral health status across different social and economic divisions. The pattern of orphanage living is quite different from family living as the latter provides physical security, food, and shelter but is devoid of psychological security. High prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis and dental trauma has been observed in children of orphanages. This has been attributed to many factors such as: lack of adequate staff, poor oral hygiene, improper nutrition and eating patterns, high consumption of sugary food, negligence of tooth brushing, moreover the children and caregivers knowledge, level of education and oral health illiteracy. Untreated oral diseases could lead to psychological and general health problems, pain and loss in school time. Recognition of these problems is essential to provide optimum oral health for these deprived children. Health education is an important tool of public health and an effective primary preventive method especially for school aged children in controlling plaque, gingival and dental diseases.

Detailed description: The aim of this study is to raise more awareness about the causes of dental diseases (plaque, gingival and dental caries and their prevention through implementing an educational program to the orphan children focusing on tooth brushing, proper use of fluoride products and proper nutrition. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impact of the oral health education program on the Knowledge and practices of the orphans and also its effect on the gingival health and dental caries among the children in different branches of orphanages in Egypt.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Orphan Children aged 7 years old and above.
* Educated children.
* No learning difficulty.
* No medical conditions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any child that refuses to participate

Primary outcomes:
measure: Oral hygiene knowledge, and practices of the orphan children
timeFrame: Before the educational program and after 2 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Dental Caries experience for permanent dentition
timeFrame: Before the educational program and after 2 months
measure: Dental Caries experience for mixed dentition
timeFrame: Before the educational program and after 2 months
measure: Oral hygiene
timeFrame: Before the educational program and after 2 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Cairo
country: Egypt
facility: Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University
Study officials:
References: