Joanna Cheuk Yan Hui ^1,2 Chun Hung Chu ^2* Kitty Jieyi Chen ^1,2*

• ¹ Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
• ² Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, SAR China

Objectives: This study aims to examine kindergarten teachers' satisfaction and their perceived impact of an oral health education (OHE) training program. Methods: This study followed the steps outlined in the Program Evaluation Standards in Public Health recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All kindergarten teachers in Hong Kong were invited to attend the OHE training. The training comprised a lecture and a group discussion among 6 to 8 teachers facilitated by trained dentists. The participating teachers were invited to complete an online questionnaire after the training. The questionnaire consisted of seven questions: six close-ended questions to evaluate teachers' satisfaction with the training, their perceived oral-health-related knowledge, and their perceived competence in delivering OHE, and one open-ended question to collect their comments and suggestions for enhancing the OHE training.Results: A total of 6,210 teachers joined the OHE training, and 4,882 teachers completed the questionnaires (response rate: 79%). The survey found that 4,691 teachers (96%) were satisfied with the training, and the same number agreed that the OHE training was essential for delivering OHE.Additionally, 4,680 teachers (96%) found the lecture informative, and 4,393 teachers (90%) rated the group discussion as useful. After the OHE training, 4,716 teachers (96%) reported that they were more knowledgeable in recognizing childhood oral diseases, and 4,665 teachers (96%) believed they were more skillful in delivering OHE. Regarding comments and suggestions, teachers opined that the OHE was informative and comprehensive. They suggested developing videos and hands-on workshops for the OHE training and expressed a desire to learn more about the dental treatment of common dental diseases. Additionally, they recommended providing teaching aids such as booklets and tooth models for use in kindergartens.The kindergarten teachers generally had a better understanding of childhood oral conditions after the OHE training. They were generally satisfied with the training and became more confident in delivering OHE to kindergarten children.