الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Visual impairment is major global public health problem that is increasing in developing countries. VIC face many challenges to oral health care, which results in emotional and financial burden on families. Unfortunately, few researches were concerned with educational and preventive programs for VIC especially in Egypt.
Subsequently, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a specially designated educational and preventive program on group of VIEC to improve their oral health knowledge and practices, and prevent oral diseases. Added to this reporting any significant gender influence on oral health behaviors and attitudes. Moreover, their teachers and caregivers were enrolled in an educational program to improve their oral health knowledge and practices.
A total of 60 VIEC with age range from 8 to 14 years attending residential schools were enrolled in the current program. They were divided equally into two groups, group A girls and group B boys. A brief explanation about the program were given to all the subjects before enrolling in the study. A written informed consent was obtained from children’s caregivers in addition to children’s verbal acceptance, which was recorded before conducting the study.
Oral health knowledge assessment was performed by the researcher for VIEC, their teachers and caregivers. A specially designated questionnaire was used to assess their oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and oral health knowledge.
Thorough clinical examination was performed by the researcher for all VIEC to record their oral health status. Dental caries experience was assessed using the DMFT index in the permanent dentition and deft index in the primary
Summary
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dentition. Plaque index was measured to determine the amount of plaque deposits. Caries risk assessment tool was used to monitor fulfillment of the protective factors.
Oral health education was performed for VIEC, their teachers and caregivers every three months. “Tell feel do technique” was the approach used in the program for the VIEC. All children took part in a daily primary preventive routine against dental caries and periodontal diseases. In addition, all of them were given a specially designated braille-leaflet after program implementation.
The results of the present program revealed that there is gender influence on oral health behaviors and attitudes. Based on data from questionnaire, girls showed improvement regarding oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, self-satisfaction and oral health knowledge after program implementation. However, boys showed only improvement regarding oral health knowledge.
Regarding dental caries experience, both girls and boys groups showed a continuing increase in DMFT and deft mean values along the 12 months of the program. Regarding plaque assessment, girls showed a continuing decrease in the plaque mean scores, unlike boys who showed continuing increase at the end of the program.
Based on teachers and caregivers questionnaire, results showed significant improvement in oral health knowledge. However, this improvement was not reflected on their oral hygiene practices and dietary habits.
Conclusions
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from this program, the following can be concluded:
The major contributing factors to dental caries in VIEC were inadequate oral hygiene practices and unawareness of the importance of having good oral hygiene.
Oral health education could modify oral health knowledge and consequently change the oral health behavior and attitude of VIEC.
Primary preventive measures including using of fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwashes besides applying correct brushing technique were effective in reducing plaque scores and dental caries prevalence of VIC.
Continued motivation using reinforcements at regular intervals was effective to maintain good oral hygiene practices in VIC.
Teachers could play a pivotal role in maintaining optimal oral health for the VIC.