Asituational Analysis of Oral Health Programs in the Primary Schools of Pune City (India)

Objective: To evaluate (situational analysis) the status of oral health programs in the primary schools of Pune city.

Method: A cross sectional questionnaire study was conducted among the principals of the primary schools. A structured set of 16 questions were designed for the three domains of school oral health program. The choices of the questions were based on the 5 point Likert scale. 85 schools from Pune were selected for the study.

Results: 65 schools responded for the study, yielding a response rate of 76.4%.Majority of the school health care provided was in the form of health and oral health check up. The teacher (47.7%) and physical education teacher (12.3%) were mostly involved in coordinating school oral health care program. 93.9% of the schools have reported that their school have guidelines regarding oral health services for school children. Almost 89.2% schools have banned tobacco use among their teaching and non-teaching staff. Teachers (72.3%) and government (73.8%) are reported to play a key role in oral health program/policies to be implemented in the school. The principals reported positively to all the healthful school living statements.

Conclusion: The school health programs are being functionally conducted in majority of schools but hardly there are any services being provided for oral health.