This study investigates the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction on the oral hygiene status of children. Over a one month period, as measured by the Personal Hygiene Performance Index, sixty-five fifth grade students participated in one of three intact groups: oral health computer assisted instruction, traditional oral health instruction, or no oral health instructions. Oral health instructions were identical in content for computer assisted and traditional lecture formats. During pretest evaluations, students were presented with a dental kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and an oral health instruction pamphlet. The Personal Hygiene Performance Index was performed on each student prior to, one day following, and one month following oral health instructions. Results indicated that oral health computer assisted instruction and traditional oral health instruction are equally effective methods in increasing the oral hygiene status of children as measured by analysis of variance, linear contrast tests, and t-tests
