Evaluación de una estrategia multisensorial para mejorar los hábitos de higiene bucodental en niños de escuelas rurales

Abstract

Oral hygiene in children is a key factor in preventing oral diseases. In rural areas, access to dental services continues to be a challenge, making educational strategies an essential tool for promoting proper oral hygiene habits from childhood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multisensory strategy in promoting positive changes in oral hygiene, using the Silness and Löe Plaque Index, among children from a rural school in Girón during the second semester of 2025. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 90 children aged 6 to 10 years from two campuses of a rural school, divided into a study group and a control group. Enrolled students whose guardians provided informed consent were included, while those who did not attend the evaluations or had conditions that hindered clinical assessment were excluded. The main variable was the level of oral hygiene, assessed before and after the intervention. The study group received a multisensory educational strategy, whereas the control group received an educational leaflet on oral hygiene and healthy habits. Statistical analysis was performed using comparison tests between baseline and final measurements, in accordance with ethical considerations for research involving human participants. The results showed a reduction in bacterial plaque in both groups, with a greater decrease in the study group, from 66.16% to 32.96%, compared with the control group, which decreased from 60.62% to 45.47%. It is concluded that the multisensory educational strategy was effective in improving oral hygiene and reducing bacterial plaque levels, highlighting the importance of implementing participatory educational programs for the promotion and prevention of oral health in children.