TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of community health workers in promoting oral health at school settings : a scoping review
AU - Molete, Mpho Matlakale
AU - Malele-Kolisa, Yolanda
AU - Thekiso, Maphefo
AU - Lang, Adina Yael
AU - Kong, Ariana
AU - George, Ajesh
PY - 2024/6/1
Y1 - 2024/6/1
N2 - ObjectivesThe scoping review aimed to examine the literature on the role of Community Health Workers (CHW) in oral health interventions within school settings. The objectives were to identify the characteristics of school oral health interventions where CHWs played a role; and to assess the outcomes derived from CHW participation in school oral health.MethodsThe scoping review was guided by the Levac et al (2010) framework. Articles selected for this review included all forms of study designs and gray literature. The search strategy included CHW and other non-dental personnel providing oral health activities within schools and the outcomes of these interventions from 1995. Databases included Pubmed, ProQuest, Scopus and EBSCO Host.ResultsThere were eleven (n = 11) peer reviewed articles included. Only one study in this review related to CHW involvement in school oral health settings. The remaining involved teachers (n = 4), peer learners (n = 3) or a combination of both (n = 3). Characteristics of the interventions ranged from oral health screenings, education, supervised brushing, and community engagements. Three outcomes emerged; widening access to oral health services, acceptability of non-oral health personnel and learners in promoting oral health and improvement of oral health self-care.ConclusionsThe review brought to light the benefits of utilizing non-dental personnel such as teachers and peer learners in augmenting staff capacity for school oral health interventions. In addition, the findings highlighted the need to further research on the feasibility and acceptability of integrating CHW in school oral health settings.
AB - ObjectivesThe scoping review aimed to examine the literature on the role of Community Health Workers (CHW) in oral health interventions within school settings. The objectives were to identify the characteristics of school oral health interventions where CHWs played a role; and to assess the outcomes derived from CHW participation in school oral health.MethodsThe scoping review was guided by the Levac et al (2010) framework. Articles selected for this review included all forms of study designs and gray literature. The search strategy included CHW and other non-dental personnel providing oral health activities within schools and the outcomes of these interventions from 1995. Databases included Pubmed, ProQuest, Scopus and EBSCO Host.ResultsThere were eleven (n = 11) peer reviewed articles included. Only one study in this review related to CHW involvement in school oral health settings. The remaining involved teachers (n = 4), peer learners (n = 3) or a combination of both (n = 3). Characteristics of the interventions ranged from oral health screenings, education, supervised brushing, and community engagements. Three outcomes emerged; widening access to oral health services, acceptability of non-oral health personnel and learners in promoting oral health and improvement of oral health self-care.ConclusionsThe review brought to light the benefits of utilizing non-dental personnel such as teachers and peer learners in augmenting staff capacity for school oral health interventions. In addition, the findings highlighted the need to further research on the feasibility and acceptability of integrating CHW in school oral health settings.
UR - https://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:75955
U2 - 10.1111/jphd.12612
DO - 10.1111/jphd.12612
M3 - Article
SN - 1752-7325
SN - 0022-4006
SP - 175
EP - 186
JO - Journal of Public Health Dentistry
JF - Journal of Public Health Dentistry
ER -