Teachers' views about barriers in implement oral health education for school children: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To explore the barriers encountered by primary school teachers, to implementing oral health education in their settings. Material and methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was answered by a sample of 89 primary schoolteachers aged 18 to 65 years working in primary public schools in Indaiatuba, SP, Brazil. The data were quantitatively  analyzed by means of the Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS), which is based on a theoretical framework of Social Representations Theory. Results: The majority of teachers said they were teaching their students some oral health content. However, they reported difficulties in teaching oral health content in school, such as: the lack of material and/or appropriate activities to teach the subject of oral health properly; children do not receive oral health education at home and/or it is not encouraged by their families; students do not place any value on oral health and/or do not follow guidance provided. Teachers also expressed the need for partnerships with dental schools to help them implement oral health projects in primary schools. Conclusions: The results emphasize the need for health and educational sectors support primary school teachers in the implementation and maintenance of oral health education programs in schools.