Introduction
Dental caries, popularly known as tooth decay, is the most prevalent chronic disease among children worldwide. The overall aim of this study was to understand how best to develop dental caries behavioural prevention strategies for children in Qatari primary schools by examining the evidence underpinning behavioural strategies with the use of a case study approach. The study sought to illuminate contextual factors that are deeply embedded in the spheres of the primary school and home environment and their interplay with the existing oral hygiene programme
Methodology
The study was conducted in 3 phases: scoping review, case study, and co-production workshop. The scoping review was a conceptual review of the evidence in the literature to provide the theoretical background and conceptual framework that guided the empirical case study work. A multiple case study was conducted using a public school and a private school to understand why the prevalence of dental caries was high among primary school children in spite of previous oral health strategies. The outcome from this phase was used to inform the refinement of current dental caries behavioural prevention strategies in Qatar for school children in both public and private settings through co-production workshop which was the final phase.
Results
The study found that oral health programmes targeted at primary school children in Qatar are fragmented. Organisational and cultural forces were identified as negative fractured forces that hinder the success of oral health programmes in Qatar. The study found factors that may enhance the effectiveness of school oral health programme, which include a comprehensive school oral health policy, regular programmes, active involvement of parents, pupils and teachers, and adequate follow-up/monitoring. The study found that home context plays a crucial role in terms of oral health motivation in Qatar. It was found that at home, children are taught the most daily oral hygiene-related behaviours, including tooth-brushing and dental flossing. The study revealed the role of parents at home in supporting oral health activities as a way to motivate and empower children to take part in such behaviours. Also, parents and teachers work in collaboration to enhance oral health behaviours in children. The study revealed that teachers play a crucial role in implementing appropriate oral health lessons in schools to educate children about tooth brushing, dental flossing, and the need for dental clinic visits.
Conclusion
A comprehensive school oral health programme could be a means of integrating the dental health services at school and home to improve oral health of schoolchildren in Qatar.