To evaluate the application effect of oral health management program based on behavior change wheel (BCW) theory, so as to provide a reference for improving children's awareness of oral self-management and the development of healthy oral behaviors.

A total of 120 children aged 5-6 from 2 kindergartens in Yubei District in Chongqing City, selected by convenience sampling method from September 2023 to March 2024, were divided into a experimental group and a control group (60 each). Children in the experimental group were given an oral health education programme based on BCW theory (promoted health awareness, cultivated healthy behavior ability, strengthened awareness and ability, and provided opportunitiess) on the basis of conventional oral health education, and children in the control group were given conventional oral health education; data were collected before and 3 months after the intervention, respectively. Comparisons between groups were made using the Mann-Whitney U test and χ² test.

Before intervention, there were no significant differences in plaque index [2.00(1.00, 2.00), 2.00(1.00, 2.00)] and the number of filled teeth [0.00(0.00, 1.00), 0.00(0.00, 1.00)] between the experimental group and the control group (Z=-0.88, -0.42, P>0.05). After intervention, the plaque index of the experimental group [1.00(0.00, 1.00)] was lower than that of the control group [1.00(0.25, 2.00)] and before intervention, and the number of filling teeth in the experimental group [1.00(0.00, 2.00)] was higher than that of the control group [1.00(0.00, 1.00)] and before intervention, the differences were statistically significant (Z=-3.14, -5.48; -2.08, -3.02, P<0.05). Before intervention, there were no significant differences in oral health behavior report rate and oral health knowledge mastery rate between the two groups (χ²=0.30-0.91, 0.15-1.43, P>0.05). After intervention, the report rates of health tooth brushing (method, frequency and duration) and preventive behavior (using fluoride toothpaste, pit and fissure sealing prevention and fluoride application prevention) in the experimental group were better than those in the control group and before intervention, and the differences were statistically significant (χ²=4.88-9.38, 9.13-22.63, P<0.05). The mastery rates of oral health knowledge in the experimental group were better than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (χ²=4.62-8.54, P<0.05).

Oral health management programs based on the BCW theory are more conducive to improving children's oral hygiene, as well as enhancing children's basic oral knowledge and promoting the development of oral health behaviors.