Effectiveness of school dental screening programme and different referral mechanisms on caries experience among 6-11-year-old children.

Background: School-based dental screening and referral mechanism is a potential intervention that impacts utilization of dental services.

Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of school dental screening programme with referral to specific dental hospital on caries experience among 6-11-year-old children.

Settings and design: A cluster randomized control trial was conducted with 694 children assigned to test group (n = 351) and control group (n = 343).

Materials and methods: Children in test group were referred to specific dental hospital, while those of control group to nonspecific dental hospital for treatments.

Statistical analysis used: Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for intragroup and intergroup comparison of decayed, missing, filled teeth/decayed, extraction needed, filled teeth scores.

Results: A statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in decayed (dt + DT) and filled (ft + FT) teeth scores was observed on intergroup comparison at 12 months. There was a significant increase in filled teeth (FT) scores in children of both the groups. However, the decayed teeth (dt + DT) scores were significantly decreased in children of test group (P < 0.001), while increased in control group (P = 0.004).

Conclusion: School dental screening programs with referral to specific dental hospital had a highly significant impact in reducing decayed teeth and increasing the number of FT 27 in children.