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Effectiveness of an oral health education program for preschool children: a focus on oral health behaviors in Seoul

  • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
  • Abbr : J Korean Soc Dent Hyg
  • 2026, 26(3), pp.403~411
  • DOI : 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.13
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Dental Hygiene
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Dentistry
  • Received : April 28, 2026
  • Accepted : May 30, 2026
  • Published : June 30, 2026

Boo-Keun Choi 1,  Mi-Ae Lee 2,  Sun-Mi Lee 3,  Gyu-Min Jeong 4,  Youn-Seon Choi 5,  Su-Jin Han 6,  Ji-Youn Han 7,  Hwa-Jin Han 8,  In-Young Ku 9

1신성대학교 치위생과
2충·치예방연구회
3경남정보대학교 치위생과
4대구보건대학교 치위생학과
5성동구보건소
6가천대학교 치위생학과
7백석문화대학교 치위생학과
8건국대학교 교육대학원
9경운대학교 치위생학과

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide empirical evidence for establishing systematic oral health policies for young children by evaluating the effects of a three-year oral health education program conducted through a public–private–academic partnership. Methods: Children aged 3–5 years from 10 kindergartens in Seoul participated in this study. Interventions, including professional visiting education and xylitol provision, were conducted every six months over three years. A total of 2,034 parental surveys (741 in 2023, 733 in 2024, and 560 in 2025) were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 with chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc tests. Results: Preventive dental visits significantly increased from 43.7% to 51.4% (p = 0.013), whereas visits for caries treatment decreased from 23.2% to 15.7% (p = 0.004). The mean daily tooth brushing frequency increased from 2.59 to 2.73 (p < 0.001). Specifically, post-lunch brushing improved from 73.8% to 84.5% (p < 0.001), and brushing before breakfast increased from 14.0% to 19.3% (p = 0.040). Conversely, brushing before dinner decreased (p = 0.032), indicating a shift toward more effective preventive timing for oral hygiene habits. Conclusions: Continuous three-year interventions effectively promoted preventive oral health behaviors among preschool children. These findings support the development of sustainable, prevention-centered oral health policies and improved national management systems for children.

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