Integrating oral screenings and health education in the nursing curriculum

Introduction: The results of the oral epidemiological survey in the two villages served by our University in 2005 revealed that 30% of primary school children suffered from incipient decay visible to the naked eye and the percentage increases two-fold when same children received dental examination using caries detection instruments. To improve the children's oral health status, a policy decision was made to integrate oral health in the on-site routine primary health services. Methods: Oral health and dental sciences were incorporated across the nursing curriculum and oral screenings were included in the outreach activities conducted by nursing students. Moreover, classroom oral health education and dental screenings were integrated in the Community Health syllabus in both nursing and dental colleges. Results: Dental and nursing students in their Community Health rotation began their school visits together in 2006 and have since conducted oral health education in all classrooms and screened 1800 children among whom 632 are currently under treatment. This year, following the positive impact evaluation, an After-lunch tooth brushing pilot program was successfully implemented in the preschools and preparations are presently underway to replicate the program in primary schools an begin the process evaluation. Lessons learned: Linking oral health to general health and “reconnecting the mouth to the body in health policies and programs” have been effective in addressing the high demand for children's dental care. Moreover, the use of alternative models of dental delivery has shown promising results in narrowing the dental chasm into which more and more children are falling.