Validation by Delphi Method of the variable Oral health education in pre-university students

Abstract

Oral diseases represent a global health problem whose prevalence has not decreased despite previous efforts, which underlines the need for preventive approaches, health promotion and education involving the school and the family. In the Cuban context, this problem affects pre-university students, who present insufficient knowledge and skills on oral health. The aim of this article is to present the results of the validation of the variable Oral health education in pre-university students, using the Delphi Method. A questionnaire was applied to a selected group of 30 experts, to whom the knowledge coefficient, the argumentation coefficient and, from them, the competence coefficient were calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using the Delphi Method to validate the variable under investigation. The results revealed that the three aspects evaluated (variable, dimensions and indicators) received an overall favorable assessment, with a category of very adequate, where the research variable stands out with greater strength and greater critical diversity in the selection of indicators. This validation made it possible to reach a solid consensus among the experts, which confirms the relevance and validity of the variable for educational research in oral health.