ISPOR 1000 4.0 - Project Dent O'Clock

Promoting Oral Hygiene Knowledge Among School Children in Nsukka, Nigeria

By The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR-HEOR) UNN Chapter

In June 2025, the ISPOR-HEOR UNN Chapter in collaboration with Colgate Nigeria carried out its ISPOR-1000 community outreach project called "Project Dent O'Clock." This initiative aimed to promote awareness of oral hygiene and improve oral health practices among primary school pupils through education, demonstrations, and community involvement.

As part of the outreach, the Chapter conducted a research study titled "An Evaluation of Oral Hygiene Knowledge and Practices among In-School Adolescents in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria." This study aimed to evaluate pupils' understanding, attitudes, and habits related to oral hygiene. It also sought to identify gaps that targeted health education could address.

Oral health is a vital part of public health in Nigeria, yet it often gets overlooked. Even with increasing awareness of general health, issues like dental caries, bad breath, and gum disease are still common among children. These problems can lead to discomfort, missed school days, and a lower quality of life. Aware of these challenges, Project Dent O'Clock was created to close the knowledge gap by offering evidence-based oral health education combined with interactive learning.

The outreach took place at St. Joseph's Primary School and Chidubem Primary School, both located in Nsukka, Enugu State. The team used a structured questionnaire to measure pupils' oral hygiene knowledge and practices. This was followed by interactive sessions that included demonstrations on proper brushing techniques, discussions about the importance of routine dental check-ups, and explanations of how diet affects oral health.

Early observations showed that most pupils knew regular brushing was important, but fewer understood the benefits of flossing, when to replace their toothbrush, and how their diet impacts dental health. Fortunately, pupils showed great enthusiasm for the sessions and expressed a desire for more oral health education in the future.

Project Dent O'Clock highlights the ISPOR-UNN Student Chapter's dedication to promoting health in the community using evidence-based methods. By combining outreach and research, the Chapter illustrates how student-led efforts can significantly improve public health and raise awareness at the local level.