School-station model in Ho Chi Minh City helps significantly reduce tooth decay

On May 9, according to information from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health and the Ho Chi Minh City Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, the rate of tooth decay in students in Ho Chi Minh City has decreased significantly since the school-station model was implemented.

Following two pilot implementations of oral health care for primary school students in the school-station model in 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has implemented the third phase from March 12 to April 18 at 7 primary schools in districts 1, 5, 6 and Can Gio district, for 6,540 students.

Ho Chi Minh City health sector staff and Ho Chi Minh City Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology implement dental care according to the school-station model in the city.

PHOTO: BSCC

The results showed that the rate of oral diseases continued to decrease significantly with each phase. The overall rate of tooth decay in students was 64% in phase 1; 51% in phase 2 and 40% in phase 3.

Of which, baby tooth decay decreased from 49% to 43%, then to 33%; permanent tooth decay from 27% to 14%, then to 8%. In particular, molar decay decreased sharply from 22% to 13%, then to 7%.

The rate of gingivitis improved significantly, from 45% in the first phase to 34% and only 10% in the third phase.

The overall survey showed that the overall rate of tooth decay decreased to 40%; baby tooth decay to 33%; permanent tooth decay to 8% and permanent molar decay to only 7%.

The rate of gingivitis also dropped to 10%. These figures show the clear effectiveness of the pilot program in detecting, monitoring and promptly treating dental problems for students. Cases were reported to teachers and parents so that children could be treated, and preventive measures such as applying fluoride varnish to 100% of examined students and sealing pits and fissures for high-risk children were implemented.

The highlight is that the improvement in oral health occurred evenly in all grades and participating localities, affirming the effectiveness and scalability of the school oral health care model.

Save cost and time

The school-station model brings many practical benefits, when providing free dental care services right at school, helping to save time and costs for parents and students. At the same time, the program supports schools to grasp the oral health status of students through the management system at https://quanlyskcd.medinet.org.vn , thereby building appropriate treatment and consultation plans.

Oral health care according to the school-station model in Ho Chi Minh City helps reduce the rate of tooth decay and oral diseases in children.

PHOTO: BSCC

For the health sector, the model helps collect comprehensive data on children's oral health, contributing to improving the professional capacity of grassroots health workers - thereby strengthening the quality of community health care services.

Based on the positive results achieved through 3 pilot implementations over the past 2 years, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health will develop a plan to expand the school-station model in the 2025-2026 school year and the following years.

With the cooperation of the health sector, education sector and the whole society, this model is expected to contribute to building a generation of healthy, confident and comprehensively developed students, in line with Ho Chi Minh City's strong commitment to protect and care for the health of the young generation, towards a safe, modern and sustainable educational environment.

Ho Chi Minh City Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology has implemented a school-station model in the south.

The school dental program, tooth decay prevention for students according to the school-station model under Project 5628 approved by the Ministry of Health, aims to improve the capacity of dental examination and treatment and oral disease prevention in the community in the period of 2021 - 2030. In which, the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, Ho Chi Minh City is assigned to be in charge of implementing the project in the south.

The Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology in Ho Chi Minh City has implemented a school-based dental program in Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Ho Chi Minh City. From March 18 to 21, the hospital implemented this program in Kon Tum province.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mo-hinh-truong-tram-tai-tphcm-giup-giam-ro-ret-sau-rang-185250509095034298.htm