Junior High and High School Student Responses to an Online Oral Health Education Program

OBJECTIVES: To assess student responses to an online oral health education program. DESIGN: Two surveys were distributed to Junior High and High School Students from My SmileGuide Oral Health Assessment tool: 1) The Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle Survey 2) Oral Health Risk Questionnaire. Health class students responded to questions to gain personalized oral health counseling for self-identified behavior and concerns. Upon completion of the two surveys, a Satisfaction Survey consisting of ten questions was distributed. Data was collected from eight schools located in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, New York over a six month period. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample consisted of 443 Junior High and High School students, age 13-18 years. RESULTS: Positive trends were observed of the responses provided by the students regarding the benefit of the oral health tool to their oral health knowledge and behaviors. While 83% of the students feel that they take good care of their oral health, 82% agree that an online oral health education program can improve their oral health status. 82% also feel that an online assessment can help improve their diet which can yield a healthier lifestyle. 80% of the student learned something new about oral care and 86% believe that it would be a good addition to the school health program. CONCLUSIONS: The Satisfaction Survey results strongly demonstrate that this program had a beneficial effect on the respondent's oral health knowledge. The program also increased the value of routine dental visits and awareness of oral and overall health linkage.