Page 48 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORAL HEALTH-RELATED ACTIVITIES (OHRA) AND FACILITIES
(OHRF) AT PRESCHOOL FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Nurdin MF, Yusof ZYM
Introduction: This was a qualitative study with preschool teachers using in-depth
interview (IDI) as data collection method. Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of oral
health-related activities (OHRA) and oral health-related facilities (OHRF) at preschools in
Selangor as recommended in the Guidelines on Oral Health Care for Preschool Children
(2003) and suggestions for improvement from the perspectives of preschool teachers.
Materials and methods: A total of 15 IDIs had been conducted. Data were transcribed
verbatim, followed by thematic analysis using Nvivo software. Results: The preschool
teachers perceived the OHRA and OHRF conducted at preschools were effective to
improve children and teachers’ oral health knowledge, inculcate healthy toothbrushing
habit and positive attitudes in preschool children, and help to prevent caries. Suggestions
for improvement were to include active parental participation in OHRA, increase
frequency of oral health seminar for teachers, allocate financial aid for preschool oral
health, improve oral hygiene kit storage and toothbrushing area, and provide oral hygiene
kit and oral health education (OHE) materials. Conclusion: The findings of this study
provide vital insights to policymakers, stakeholders, and health managers on ways to
improve the provision of conducive environment for oral health at preschools and how to
empower teachers as agent of change for preschool oral health.

Keywords: School-based oral health programme, preschool children, conducive environment for
oral health.

th
Oral presentation at the 14 Postgraduate Conference, University Malaya on 22 – 23 September 2021
Dr Muhammad Farid bin Nurdin
Petaling District Dental Office
Shah Alam
Selangor, Malaysia

Prof. Dr Zamros Yuzadi bin Mohd Yusof
Department of Community Oral Health & Clinical Prevention
Faculty of Dentistry
University of Malaya
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

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