The effect of education on healthcare workers’ knowledge of oro-dental health in a group of Iranian rural children

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oro-dental health is one of the most important factors affecting children's health. Healthcare workers’ knowledge is one of the most important factors for oro-dental health services. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the effect of education on healthcare workers’ knowledge of oro-dental health. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted in the rural regions located in south-eastern Iran in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. 120 healthcare workers were selected by a convenience sampling method based on Morgan's table and were randomly divided into experimental (n = 60) and control groups (n = 60). First, both groups completed the questionnaire; then, intervention was conducted for the experimental group in ten 2-hour sessions over 5 weeks. Finally, both groups completed the questionnaire one week after the education. RESULTS: In the pre-test, the mean scores of the healthcare workers about overall knowledge in the intervention (12.50 ± 5.07) and control (12.46 ± 4.71) groups had no significant difference (P = 0.42); whereas, in the post-test, the mean scores of overall knowledge in the intervention (14.23 ± 2.77) and control (12.61 ± 4.84) groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). Results of study showed significant differences between the two groups in dimensions of the dental knowledge, oro-dental health principles, and how to provide oro-dental care (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Given the importance of preventive oro-dental care in children, it is recommended that health education programs in the field of oro-dental health be designed and implemented within the framework of the educational model.