Using traditional folklore through visual arts as a tool for oral hygiene education among Nigerian schoolchildren

Oral health diseases represent a significant public health challenge in numerous developing countries, Nigeria included. While many of these diseases, such as dental caries and gum diseases, can be readily prevented through proper oral hygiene practices, a substantial portion of the population, particularly children, lacks the necessary knowledge and attitudes to maintain good oral health. Consequently, there is a pressing need for effective and sustainable programs aimed at enhancing their oral hygiene knowledge and attitudes. The call for intensified initiatives and innovative strategies to promote oral health and alleviate the burden of oral diseases remains inadequately answered. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of traditional folklore as a tool for enhancing: (1) oral health hygiene knowledge and (2) oral hygiene attitudes of Nigerian schoolchildren