Sugar in your diet: kino te pai! an evaluation of oral health science outreach and community impact

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the impact of a combined science outreach, oral health education and tooth brushing initiative introduced into a New Zealand Māori immersion primary school. Participants completed questionnaires on dental anxiety, oral health practices and dental knowledge before and after the intervention. Pre- and post-intervention responses were compared to determine if knowledge and outcomes had improved. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six students 18 -months later to determine long term retention of information and subsequent oral health practices. Improvements in good oral hygiene habits and diet were observed in several areas. Interview participants comments showed that although students may be aware of recommended oral health practices, they will not necessarily implement them. A decline in the number of sugary drinks consumed daily was observed, alongside an increase in participants’ understanding of the effect of fluoride on teeth. Not all dental terminology and scientific knowledge was retained long term because of this initiative; however, improvements were observed when reinforcement of messages was delivered regularly throughout the duration of the study. Scientific outreach and dental initiatives need to be ongoing to ensure long term retention of information provided, and to encourage regular oral health practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Dental education
• Māori
• sugar
• science education
• tooth brushing

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Phoebe Chiu, Victoria Lim, Noella Dushime, Caitlin Stevenson, Sharnah Saunders and Rose Campbell (BOH students); Amira Salem, Yasmeen Ruma and Shaikah Mokassah (PhD students); and Jury Arthur and Gabrielle Smith (Human Nutrition postgraduate students) for their invaluable contribution to the science and oral health initiatives developed as part of the Sugar in your diet: kino te pai! project. Thanks are also extended to TKKMoO teachers, support staff and whānau for help and support with the project, and the current tumuaki Ms. Marcia Cassidy for allowing post-intervention interviews to take place.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) through the Otago Participatory Science Platform and by the Colgate-Palmolive Company.