The effect of the modified basic package of oral care on adolescent dental caries status in Zambia; a cluster randomized trial
Severine N. Anthony, Hawa S. Mbawalla, Febronia K. Kahabuka, Seter Siziya, Anne N. Åstrøm

TL;DR
A modified version of a WHO oral care program reduced dental caries in Zambian adolescents over two years.
Contribution
Demonstrated effectiveness of modified BPOC in reducing dental caries and improving oral health knowledge in adolescents.
Findings
Modified BPOC reduced dental caries prevalence in Zambian adolescents.
Improved knowledge and use of fluoridated toothpaste in the intervention group.
Significant outcomes were observed at 18 and 24 months follow-ups.
Abstract
The Basic Package of Oral Care (BPOC) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to improve oral health care worldwide, yet evidence of its effectiveness is scarce. This study primarily assessed the outcome of applying modified BPOC on dental caries prevalence and secondarily on knowledge and behaviors related to dental caries among adolescents in Copperbelt Province, Zambia. A parallel arms cluster randomized field trial including 22 public secondary schools (11-intevention, 11-control) was carried out between January 2021 and March 2023 in Copperbelt Province, Zambia. A validated questionnaire collected data with respect to socio-demographics, knowledge, and dental caries-related behaviors. The caries assessment spectrum and treatment (CAST) instrument was used to examine the spectrum of carious lesions during the baseline, and the follow-up data collection phases.…
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Taxonomy
TopicsDental Health and Care Utilization · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Cleft Lip and Palate Research
