Effectiveness of oral health education intervention on oral health knowledge, attitude, practices and oral hygiene status among literate and illiterate adult population in Bheemunipatnam Mandal - A non-randomized controlled trail.

Aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of oral health education on the oral health knowledge, attitude, practices and oral hygiene status of literate and illiterate adult population in Bheemunipatnam Mandal. For literate adult population group, school teachers will be selected from schools list obtained from mandal educational officer and for illiterate adult population group, supporting staff working in the same schools will be selected. Baseline scores of oral hygiene status will be recorded. Both the literate and illiterate groups will be given the oral health education on the importance of oral health, tooth brushing techniques, flossing techniques and its impact on gingival and periodontal health. The intra group assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices will be done before and after the intervention with the help of a questionnaire which will be available in English and also translated into the local language. For the illiterates, questionnaire will be filled by a second investigator. Reinforcement of oral health education will be given for both literates and illiterates during the 3rd month. The oral hygiene status after the reinforcement will be evaluated and compared by the principal investigator after 6 months interval.