Effectiveness of school dental screening programme anddifferent referral mechanisms on caries experience among 6 to 11 years old children

Dental caries is one of the most common diseases affecting children despite the availability of dental services. School based dental screening could be a potential intervention that impacts uptake of dental services and subsequently, dental caries levels. The effectiveness of school dental screening to improve child dental attendance and oral health remains unknown. Hence the present study is planned to asses the impact of School based dental screening on dental caries. Permission will be obtained from the school authorities for screening of 6 to 11 years old children, Following screening children will be included as per inclusion criteria. Details of the study will be explained to parents and informed consent will be obtained. Schools will be randomly assigned into two groups, through cluster randomization into test group(n=310) and control group(n=310). Number of decayed teeth  will be recorded and oral health education is given in both groups. In test group, Children will be brought to Department of Pedodontics, Vishnu Dental College for sensitization about dental operatory and also offered one of the preventive procedure like oral prophylaxis/sealant application/ Topical fluoride application, and Children will be instructed to get their parents for further treatments. Whereas in control group children will be referred to Vishnu Dental college (or) some other dental facility for treatments. After 6 months, followup  number of decayed teeth and the obtained data will be subjected to statistical analysis