Content Analysis of Iran Primary School Books in 2014-2015 in Relation to Oral Health Topics

The aim of this study was to evaluate oral health issues in primary school textbooks in Iran.
The contents of Iran primary school textbooks in the academic year 2014-2015 were assessed in accordance to oral health-related teachings. Oral health topics of 39 textbooks (pictures and texts) were retrieved and analyzed using content analysis method and presented by figures and tables.
In whole, 25 oral health-related lessons were found .The textbooks of the first grade contained the highest (10) and those of the fourth grade had the lowest (0) number of oral health lessons. Among Oral health-related issues, the largest number (12) of lessons was about tooth brushing, while prevention of gingival disease comprised the least number (1). Some important oral health issues such as the role of healthy teeth and gums in health of other parts of the body were not discussed in the textbooks.
According to this study, the potential of primary school textbooks in delivering oral health messages has been neglected in Iran. Taking the critical importance of school ages into account, incorporating health issues in textbooks should be more strongly emphasized.