The behavior change on brushing teeth of children by mothers using a periodic dental health evaluation card

The Indonesian Health Survey reported that only 7.3% of children brushed teeth on the right time. This study aims to analyse the role of Periodic Dental Health Evaluation Card (KMGS) to increase mother-child toothbrushing behaviour and child's oral hygiene, by empowering health cadre in Integrated Health Post (Posyandu). The 54 mother-child aged 24-60 month who visited Posyandu, were divided into two groups.The intervention group consisted of 31 mothers who was given dental health education (DHE).Child's caries risk were monitored weekly in. This intervened group was compared to 23 mother-child pairs as the control group. Dental behaviour was assessed by questionnaire, and child's oral hygiene assessed by plaque index dan plaque maturity index. The result shown there was an increase of mother's behaviour of toothbrushing (p=0.001) and decrease on child plaque index (p < 0.001), but no significant change (p > 0.05) in child's plaque maturity. The conclusion is DHE wich used "KMGS" may improve mother's behaviour to brush their child'steeth.Dental plaque index of children decreased, and therefor improved oral hygiene of children. The KMGS was able to be a good media to inform risk factors of early childhood caries to the mothers through DHE by health cadre in Posyandu.