The Influence of Dental Health Education on the Gingival Health of Students at STIKES Muhammadiyah Palembang Anggina Dientyah Nur1,*, Asmalia Resy1 1Department of Publich Health, Medical Faculty, University of Muhammadiyah, Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia *Corresponding Author: Dientyah Nur Anggina, Department of Publich Health, Medical Faculty, University of Muhammadiyah, Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia, Email: dientyahnuranggina@fkumpalembang.ac.id
Online published on 19 August, 2019. Abstract Students often suffer from gingivitis due to stress and lack of awareness of the need to maintain good oral hygiene. One strategy for improving the behaviors to maintain good oral hygiene is Dental Health Education (DHE). This study aimed to analyze the influence of DHE on the gingival health of students in STIKES Muhammadiyah Palembang. This study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design. Sampling was accomplished with the total sampling method, which resulted in the inclusion of 36 students in the first level of midwifery at STIKES Muhammadiyah Palembang. This study used a simulation method of tooth brushing and the study instruments consisted of a gingival examination and knowledge questionnaire. The measurements from pre-test to post-test showed that the students’ knowledge of oral hygiene improved and their severity of gingivitis decreased, according to their gingival index scores. The results of the Wilcoxon test analysis showed p<0.05, meaning that there were significant differences in students’ knowledge and gingival health before and after participating in DHE. Thus, the study results revealed that DHE had a significant influence on gingival health. Top Keywords Dental Health Education, gingival health, students. Top |