Integrating Multimedia and Microteaching to Improve Oral Health Behavior among Elementary School Students in Gorontalo: A Mixed-Method Intervention Study

Background Oral health remains an important public health concern in developing countries, including Indonesia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of integrating multimedia and microteaching-based training for school teachers to promote oral health behavior among elementary school students in rural Gorontalo. Methods A mixed-method study involved 582 students and 16 teachers from Pohuwato District. Teachers were divided into three groups: Group I (Multimedia + Microteaching; n = 8), Group II (Multimedia only; n = 8), and Group III (Control). Quantitative data included the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), DMFT, and Knowledge–Attitude–Behavior (KAB) questionnaires; qualitative data were obtained from focus group discussions (FGDs) among Group I teachers. Results Significant improvements were observed in OHI-S and DMFT in Groups I and II vs. Control (p < 0.05). Group I showed the largest improvement (OHI-S: 3.62 ± 0.81→1.89 ± 0.40; DMFT: 2.31 ± 0.52→1.12 ± 0.43; all p < 0.001). Student KAB scores and teacher competence increased significantly (p < 0.01). FGDs yielded themes of enhanced confidence, creative media use, and sustained student engagement. Conclusion Integrating multimedia with microteaching enhanced teacher competence and student oral health outcomes, demonstrating a scalable school-based model for low-resource settings.