A Mixed-Methods Comparative Evaluation of a Multimedia-Enhanced Microteaching Intervention for Improving Oral Health Outcomes in Indonesian Elementary Schools

Background: Oral health issues in school-aged children persist as a global concern, particularly in underdeveloped nations. Despite numerous school-based health promotion initiatives, Indonesia still has a high rate of dental cavities and poor oral hygiene among elementary school kids. Objective: This study sought to assess, via a mixed-methods comparative design, the efficacy of a multimedia-enhanced microteaching training model for primary school educators in enhancing students’ oral health knowledge, behavior, and clinical outcomes. Methods: A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was utilized, integrating quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 582 students and their teachers from public elementary schools in Pohuwato District, Gorontalo, Indonesia, were recruited and divided into three groups: (1) multimedia + microteaching training (intervention 1), (2) multimedia-only training (intervention 2), and (3) a control group (no training). The Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S), DMFT scores, and Knowledge–Attitude–Practice (KAP) questionnaires were utilized for quantitative evaluation. Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used to look at the data. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) qualitatively examined teachers’ experiences. Results: The multimedia-enhanced microteaching group exhibited the most significant enhancement in students’ oral hygiene (p < 0.001) and knowledge–attitude–practice scores (p < 0.05) when compared to both the multimedia-only and control groups. Qualitative studies indicated enhanced teacher confidence, improved communication with students, and increased sustainability of oral health behaviors. Conclusion: The multimedia-enhanced microteaching methodology was far better than traditional training at improving both behavioral and clinical oral health outcomes in primary school kids. This new idea provides a scalable mechanism for adding teacher-centered oral health education to health promotion programs in Indonesian schools.