Effectiveness of game-based oral health education method on oral hygiene performance of 12-year-old private school children in Lucknow City: A field trial

Background: Health education is a part of health promotion and disease prevention measures to improve the oral health and well-being of all children. When education and entertainment are combined to make the process of learning a joyful one, it facilitates and reinforces child's learning in a thought-provoking and self-motivating format. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of conventional and game-based oral health education on oral hygiene performance of 12-year-old private school children of Lucknow city. Materials and Methods: The study population aged 12 years comprised 160 participants. This was followed by a school survey in which the 12-year-old school children were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A and Group B after the necessary inclusion and exclusion criteria. A pretest evaluation of their knowledge regarding oral health and the estimation of debris index simplified and plaque index was carried out. Children in Group A were given oral health education through PowerPoint presentation once daily for 7 days. Children in Group B were educated through the play method (i.e., crosswords and quiz with PowerPoint presentation). The evaluations regarding oral health-related knowledge were done using pretested, predetermined questionnaire, and debris scores, and plaque scores were recorded using debris index simplified component of OHI-S by (J. C Green and Jack R Vermillion 1964) and Plaque Index by Loe H (1967), respectively, on postintervention 1, 3, and 6 months. Statistical analysis was done using the t-test and ANOVA test which was carried out using the SPSS software version 21.0 for Windows, and the value of P < 0.001 was considered statistically significant. Results: In Group B, high knowledge scores of 4.05, 4.73, and 6.02 were obtained on postintervention 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. In both the groups, there was a significant increase in good oral hygiene scores and a significant decrease in debris scores and plaque scores on postintervention 1, 3, and 6 months' follow-up, but much better scores were seen in group B compared to Group A at both the follow-ups. Conclusion: As the knowledge scores of children increased and debris score and plaque score decreased considerably, thereby the implementation of game-based oral health education program is an easy and effective method in improving the oral health and preventing oral diseases.