Children’s oral health is a crucial component of growth, development, and quality of life. Unfortunately, oral hygiene practices among Indonesian children remain inadequate; for example, only 1.75% of children aged 9–10 years brush their teeth correctly. Engaging and age-appropriate oral health education is therefore essential to promote positive daily habits. One increasingly recognized method is educational storytelling, which uses narratives, fairy tales, or interactive scenarios to deliver oral health messages in an enjoyable and memorable way.
Why Educational Storytelling Is Effective for Children
Educational storytelling offers several advantages for pediatric populations:
- Language and context that are closely aligned with children’s everyday experiences, making messages easier to understand and internalize.
- Imaginative and visual elements that enhance emotional engagement and attention, making learning more dynamic.
- Enjoyable repetition through characters, storylines, and interactive elements, supporting habit formation (e.g., brushing twice daily, flossing).
- Knowledge transfer through narratives is often more effective than rigid lectures, particularly in line with children’s cognitive development.
Research conducted by a Faculty of Dentistry student at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Rahma Fitriani, under the supervision of Prof. drg. Sri Kuswandari, M.S., Sp.KGA.(K), Subsp. KKA(K), Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. drg. Al. Supartinah SU., Sp.KGA(K), demonstrated that both lecture-based and audiovisual education methods were effective in reducing dental plaque scores among children aged 9–10 years. This finding suggests that interactive and engaging approaches such as storytelling are likely to produce similarly positive outcomes.
Design and Elements of Educational Stories for Oral Health
To achieve meaningful impact, educational storytelling should incorporate the following elements:
- Relatable Main Characters
Examples include “Teeth and Gums” embarking on plaque-cleaning adventures, “The Toothbrush Hero” fighting sugar monsters, or “The Strong Chewing Team” protecting children’s teeth. - A Narrative with Conflict and Resolution
Stories may begin with a problem (forgetting to brush, plaque monster attacks), followed by a solution (proper brushing and flossing), and conclude with positive outcomes (clean teeth, defeated plaque). - Clear Key Messages
Examples: “Brush properly twice a day,” “Use dental floss in the morning or evening,” “Limit sugary foods after meals.” - Visuals and Supporting Media
Picture books, short animated videos, interactive comics, or teacher-read audio stories can enhance message delivery. Combining audiovisual and traditional storytelling strengthens learning outcomes. - Follow-Up and Repetition
Storytelling should not be a one-time activity. Scheduled repetition at school or home, interactive quizzes, and hands-on activities help reinforce correct brushing behavior.
Clinical and School-Based Implementation
- Elementary schools and community health promotion programs can incorporate educational storytelling into oral health curricula.
- Teachers or school health personnel can conduct storytelling sessions followed by practical demonstrations (toothbrushing and flossing techniques).
- Simple monitoring—such as plaque score assessment before and after implementation—can be conducted, as demonstrated in the cited research.
- Educational storytelling offers strong potential to promote positive behavioral change from an early age, leading to long-term reductions in caries and oral disease.
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Educational storytelling represents a highly promising strategy for children’s oral health education. By delivering oral hygiene messages through engaging narratives, children can more easily understand and practice correct toothbrushing habits. Research indicates that lecture-based and audiovisual educational interventions effectively reduce plaque scores in children aged 9–10 years. Therefore, educational storytelling can serve as a valuable alternative or complementary method to improve children’s oral health on a broader scale.
References
RAHMA FITRIANI, Prof. drg. Sri Kuswandari. M.S., Sp. KGA.(K)., Subsp. KKA (K)., Ph. D; Prof. Dr.drg. Al. Supartinah SU., Sp.KGA(K), PENGARUH EDUKASI KESEHATAN GIGI DENGAN METODE CERAMAH DAN AUDIOVISUAL TERHADAP PENURUNAN SKOR PLAK GIGI PADA ANAK USIA 9-10 TAHUN (Kajian di Sekolah Dasar Negeri Jurugentong, Banguntapan Bantul, Kota Yogyakarta), https://etd.repository.ugm.ac.id/penelitian/detail/249239
Author: Rizky B. Hendrawan | Photo: Freepik
