THE EFFECT OF ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION STORYTELLING ON IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE OF DENTAL CARIES AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54877/stethoscope.v7i1.1099Keywords:
storytelling, dental health education, knowledge, dental caries, elementary school children.Abstract
Background: Dental caries is one of the most common oral health problems among school-aged children. Low levels of knowledge regarding oral health may increase the risk of dental caries. Therefore, an engaging educational method appropriate for children, such as storytelling, is needed. Objective: To determine the effect of storytelling-based dental health education on improving knowledge of dental caries among elementary school children. Methods: This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design and a one-group pretest-posttest design. The study involved 28 students aged 9–12 years at SD Negeri 01 Papahan, Tasikmadu District, Karanganyar Regency. The sample was selected using total sampling. Data were collected using a 25-item dental caries knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Results: Before the storytelling intervention, most respondents had a moderate level of knowledge, consisting of 15 students (53.6%), while 7 students (25.0%) had poor knowledge and 6 students (21.4%) had good knowledge. After the intervention, all respondents (100%) had a good level of knowledge. The mean knowledge score increased from 65.42 in the pretest to 95.42 in the posttest, with a mean difference of 30.00. The Wilcoxon test showed a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Storytelling-based dental health education had a significant effect on improving knowledge of dental caries among elementary school children aged 9–12 years.
Keywords: storytelling, dental health education, knowledge, dental caries, elementary school children.
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