THE USE OF THE WORD SQUARE METHOD IN HEALTH PROMOTION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARD TOOTH BRUSHING AMONG STUDENTS AT SD ISLAM AL ISHLAH

Abstract

Oral and dental health remain a significant issue in Indonesia, particularly among elementary school children. Data indicate that approximately 39.06% of students in Bukittinggi experience dental problems, primarily caries, which can disrupt their activities and quality of life. The low level of knowledge and positive attitudes toward dental care are the main causes of this high prevalence. This study aims to examine the effect of the Word Square Method in Health Promotion on students' knowledge and attitudes regarding tooth brushing.The research employed a quantitative pre-experimental design using a one-group pre-test and post-test approach. The sample consisted of 66 students selected from a population of 214 through stratified random sampling. The study was conducted on August 5, 2025. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed with the Wilcoxon test.Univariate results showed that the mean knowledge score before the Word Square intervention was 11.53, which increased to 13.06 after the intervention. The mean attitude score before the intervention was 59.14 and increased to 64.00 afterward. The Wilcoxon test yielded a p-value of 0.000 for both knowledge and attitude scores, indicating a statistically significant effect (p ≤ 0.005).It is concluded that the Word Square Method positively influences knowledge and attitudes toward tooth brushing among students at SD Islam Al Ishlah Bukittinggi in 2025. It is recommended that schools implement the Word Square Method as a reference to enhance students’ knowledge and attitudes