The Use of Dental Stacko Effectively Increases Knowledge About Dental Caries Among Elementary School Students

Abstract

Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent oral health problems among school‑aged children. One strategy to improve students’ knowledge is the use of engaging and interactive educational media, such as Dental Stacko, which is designed to facilitate learning through visual and hands‑on activities. This study aimed to determine the effect of using Dental Stacko on the knowledge of dental caries among upper‑grade students. An analytical research design employing a Pre‑Experimental One Group Pretest–Posttest Design was used. The independent variable was the use of Dental Stacko, while the dependent variable was students’ knowledge of dental caries. The study population consisted of 201 upper‑grade students at SDN Grabagan, Tulangan District, Sidoarjo Regency. A sample of 67 students was obtained using the Slovin formula. Data were collected using a dental caries knowledge questionnaire administered before and after the Dental Stacko intervention. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS with the Wilcoxon test to determine differences in knowledge scores before and after the intervention. Before the intervention, most students demonstrated poor knowledge of dental caries, with 38 students (56.7%) categorized as poor, 9 students (13.4%) as moderate, and 20 students (29.9%) as good. After the Dental Stacko intervention, students’ knowledge improved substantially, with 61 students (91.0%) categorized as good, 4 students (6.0%) as moderate, and only 2 students (3.0%) remaining in the poor category. The Wilcoxon test yielded p < 0.001, indicating a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores. In conclusion, the use of Dental Stacko had a significant effect on improving knowledge of dental caries among upper‑grade students at SDN Grabagan, Tulangan District, Sidoarjo Regency. Dental Stacko serves as an effective, engaging, and interactive educational medium that enhances students’ understanding of dental caries and supports school‑based oral health promotion efforts.

Keywords: dental caries; Dental Stacko; elementary school students; knowledge