Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Abstract
Experiential learning is an innovative learning method that knowledge is gained through experience.
The aim of this paper was to review the application of experiential learning in health education and
suggest an oral health education program using experiential learning. Experiential learning has
been used in the past successfully in health education mostly in university curricula. In oral health
education, its use is limited and without following a comprehensive structure. An experiential learning
oral health education program, implemented in the classroom by a trained teacher, is proposed to
be integrated in the school’s curriculum. Initially, using brainstorming students express their opinions
and feelings toward oral health. Then, students are allocated to working groups to develop oral health
projects. The outcome of these projects is presented in the classroom to their peers through role
playing, posters, songs, games, etc., Finally, a discussion is stimulated by the teacher to encourage
children to express their feelings about oral health issues and thus experientially recognize the
importance of oral health. Experiential learning has been effectively used in health education and can
be a successful method for oral health education. For optimal results, a predetermined experiential
method structure has to be followed.
Keywords
1. Kay EJ, Locker D. Is dental health education effective? A
systematic review of current evidence. Community Dent Oral
Epidemiol 1996;24:231‑5.
2. Naito M, Nakayama T, Hamajima N. Health literacy education for
children: Acceptability of a school‑based program in oral health.
J Oral Sci 2007;49:53‑9.
3. Kolb D. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of
Learning and Development. 2nd Edition. New Jersey: P‑ Hall; 1984.
4. JarvisP. Adult and Continuing Education: Theory & Practice.
2nd Edition. London: R. Falmer; 1999.
5. Smith LM, Emmett H, Woods M. Experiential learning driving
community based nursing curriculum. Rural Remote Health
2008;8:901.
6. D’Lugoff MI, McCarter J. Learning from experience: Three
community health population‑based outreach projects for
graduate and undergraduate students. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh
2005;2:Article 17.
7. Matthews JI, Zok AV, Quenneville EP, Dworatzek PD.
Development and implementation of FRESH – A post‑secondary
nutrition education program incorporating population strategies,
experiential learning and intersectoral partnerships. Can J Public
Health 2014;105:e306‑11.
8. Parmer SM, Salisbury‑Glennon J, Shannon D, Struempler B.
School gardens: An experiential learning approach for a nutrition
education program to increase fruit and vegetable knowledge,
preference, and consumption among second‑grade students.
J Nutr Educ Behav 2009;41:212‑7.
9. Roofe NL. Improving families’ nutrition knowledge through
service learning. J Allied Health 2011;40:194‑8.
10. Battjes‑Fries MC, Haveman‑Nies A, van Dongen EJ, Meester HJ,
van den Top‑Pullen R, de Graaf K, et al. Effectiveness of taste
lessons with and without additional experiential learning
activities on children’s psychosocial determinants of vegetables
consumption. Appetite 2016;105:519‑26.
11. Battjes‑Fries MC, Haveman‑Nies A, Zeinstra GG, van Dongen EJ,
Meester HJ, van den Top‑Pullen R, et al. Effectiveness of taste
lessons with and without additional experiential learning
activities on children’s willingness to taste vegetables. Appetite
2017;109:201‑8.
12. Reeve JR, Gull SE, Johnson MH, Hunter S, Streather M.
A preliminary study on the use of experiential learning to support
women’s choices about infant feeding. Eur J Obstet Gynecol
Reprod Biol 2004;113:199‑203.
13. Schreuder E, Rijnders M, Vaandrager L, Hassink J,
Enders‑Slegers MJ, Kennedy L, et al. Exploring salutogenic
mechanisms of an outdoor experiential learning programme on
youth care farms in the Netherlands: Untapped potential? Int J
Adolesc Youth 2014;19:139‑52.
14. O’Donnell L, Stueve A, O’Donnell C, Duran R, San Doval A,
Wilson RF, et al. Long‑term reductions in sexual initiation
and sexual activity among urban middle schoolers in the
reach for health service learning program. J Adolesc Health
2002;31:93‑100.
15. O’Donnell L, Stueve A, San Doval A, Duran R, Haber D,
Atnafou R, et al. The effectiveness of the reach for health
community youth service learning program in reducing early
and unprotected sex among urban middle school students. Am
J Public Health 1999;89:176‑81.
16. Denner J, Coyle K, Robin L, Banspach S. Integrating service
learning into a curriculum to reduce health risks at alternative
high schools. J Sch Health 2005;75:151‑6.
17. Goldzweig IA, Levine RS, Schlundt D, Bradley R, Jones GD,
Zoorob RJ, et al. Improving seat belt use among teen drivers:
Findings from a service‑learning approach. Accid Anal Prev
2013;59:71‑5.
18. Venditti EM, Giles C, Firrell LS, Zeveloff AD, Hirst K, Marcus MD,
et al. Interactive learning activities for the middle school classroom
to promote healthy energy balance and decrease diabetes risk in
the HEALTHY primary prevention trial. Health Promot Pract
2014;15:55‑62.
19. Lonsdale C, Rosenkranz RR, Sanders T, Peralta LR, Bennie A,
Jackson B, et al. A cluster randomized controlled trial of strategies
to increase adolescents’ physical activity and motivation in
physical education: Results of the motivating active learning in
physical education (MALP) trial. Prev Med 2013;57:696‑702.
20. Craft M, Croucher R, Dickinson J, James M, Clements M,
Rodgers AI, et al. Natural nashers: A programme of dental
health education for adolescents in schools. Int Dent J
1984;34:204‑13.
21. Worthington HV, Hill KB, Mooney J, Hamilton FA, Blinkhorn AS.
A cluster randomized controlled trial of a dental health
education program for 10‑year‑old children. J Public Health Dent
2001;61:22‑7.
22. Biesbrock AR, Walters PA, Bartizek RD. Short‑term impact of a
national dental education program on children’s oral health and
knowledge. J Clin Dent 2004;15:93‑7.
23. Reinhardt CH, Löpker N, Noack MJ, Klein K, Rosen E. Peer
tutoring pilot program for the improvement of oral health
behavior in underprivileged and immigrant children. Pediatr
Dent 2009;31:481‑5.
24. Tolvanen M, Lahti S, Poutanen R, Seppä L, Pohjola V, Hausen H,
et al. Changes in children’s oral health‑related behavior,
knowledge and attitudes during a 3.4‑yr randomized clinical
trial and oral health‑promotion program. Eur J Oral Sci
2009;117:390‑7.
25. Aleksejūnienė J, Brukienė V, Džiaugyte L, Pečiulienė V,
Bendinskaitė R. A theory‑guided school‑based intervention in
order to improve adolescents’ oral self‑care: A cluster randomized
trial. Int J Paediatr Dent 2016;26:100‑9.
26. AngelopoulouMV, Kavvadia K, Taoufik K, Oulis CJ. Comparative
clinical study testing the effectiveness of school based oral health
education using experiential learning or traditional lecturing in
10‑year‑old children. BMC Oral Health 2015;15:51.
27. Angelopoulou MV, Oulis CJ, Kavvadia K. School‑based oral
health‑education program using experiential learning or
traditional lecturing in adolescents: A clinical trial. Int Dent J
2014;64:278‑84.
28. Silberman M, Biech E. Active Training: A Handbook of
Techniques, Designs, Case Examples and Tips. 4th Edition. New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2015.
29. Yoder KM. A framework for service‑learning in dental education.
J Dent Educ 2006;70:115‑23.
30. Hunt JB, Bonham C, Jones L. Understanding the goals of service
learning and community‑based medical education: A systematic
review. Acad Med 2011;86:246‑51.
31. O’Brocta R. Pharmacists’ participation in the development of an
experiential program. J Pharm Pract 2010;23:371‑3.
32. Stallwood LG, Groh CJ. Service‑learning in the nursing
curriculum: Are we at the level of evidence‑based practice? Nurs
Educ Perspect 2011;32:297‑301.
33. Merriam SB, Caffarella RS, Baumgartner L. Learning in
Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide. 3rd Edition. San Francisco:
JohnWiley & Sons Inc; 2007.
34. Zigmont JJ, Kappus LJ, Sudikoff SN. The 3D model of debriefing:
Defusing, discovering, and deepening. Semin Perinatol
2011;35:52‑8.
35. Gillis A, Mac Lellan M. Service learning with vulnerable
populations: Review of the literature. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh
2010;7:Article41.
36. Lautar CJ, Miller FY. Service‑learning and dental hygiene:
A literature review. J Dent Hyg 2007;81:64.
37. Romito L, Schrader S, Zahl D. Using experiential learning and OSCEs to teach and assess tobacco dependence education with
first‑year dental students. J Dent Educ 2014;78:703‑13.
38. Taylor GW, Stumpos ML, Kerschbaum W, Inglehart MR.
Educating dental students about diet‑related behavior change:
Does experiential learning work? J Dent Educ 2014;78:64‑74.
39. Kay EJ, Baba SP. Designing dental health education materials for
schoolteachers: Formative evaluation research. J Clin Pediatr Dent
1991;15:195‑8.
systematic review of current evidence. Community Dent Oral
Epidemiol 1996;24:231‑5.
2. Naito M, Nakayama T, Hamajima N. Health literacy education for
children: Acceptability of a school‑based program in oral health.
J Oral Sci 2007;49:53‑9.
3. Kolb D. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of
Learning and Development. 2nd Edition. New Jersey: P‑ Hall; 1984.
4. JarvisP. Adult and Continuing Education: Theory & Practice.
2nd Edition. London: R. Falmer; 1999.
5. Smith LM, Emmett H, Woods M. Experiential learning driving
community based nursing curriculum. Rural Remote Health
2008;8:901.
6. D’Lugoff MI, McCarter J. Learning from experience: Three
community health population‑based outreach projects for
graduate and undergraduate students. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh
2005;2:Article 17.
7. Matthews JI, Zok AV, Quenneville EP, Dworatzek PD.
Development and implementation of FRESH – A post‑secondary
nutrition education program incorporating population strategies,
experiential learning and intersectoral partnerships. Can J Public
Health 2014;105:e306‑11.
8. Parmer SM, Salisbury‑Glennon J, Shannon D, Struempler B.
School gardens: An experiential learning approach for a nutrition
education program to increase fruit and vegetable knowledge,
preference, and consumption among second‑grade students.
J Nutr Educ Behav 2009;41:212‑7.
9. Roofe NL. Improving families’ nutrition knowledge through
service learning. J Allied Health 2011;40:194‑8.
10. Battjes‑Fries MC, Haveman‑Nies A, van Dongen EJ, Meester HJ,
van den Top‑Pullen R, de Graaf K, et al. Effectiveness of taste
lessons with and without additional experiential learning
activities on children’s psychosocial determinants of vegetables
consumption. Appetite 2016;105:519‑26.
11. Battjes‑Fries MC, Haveman‑Nies A, Zeinstra GG, van Dongen EJ,
Meester HJ, van den Top‑Pullen R, et al. Effectiveness of taste
lessons with and without additional experiential learning
activities on children’s willingness to taste vegetables. Appetite
2017;109:201‑8.
12. Reeve JR, Gull SE, Johnson MH, Hunter S, Streather M.
A preliminary study on the use of experiential learning to support
women’s choices about infant feeding. Eur J Obstet Gynecol
Reprod Biol 2004;113:199‑203.
13. Schreuder E, Rijnders M, Vaandrager L, Hassink J,
Enders‑Slegers MJ, Kennedy L, et al. Exploring salutogenic
mechanisms of an outdoor experiential learning programme on
youth care farms in the Netherlands: Untapped potential? Int J
Adolesc Youth 2014;19:139‑52.
14. O’Donnell L, Stueve A, O’Donnell C, Duran R, San Doval A,
Wilson RF, et al. Long‑term reductions in sexual initiation
and sexual activity among urban middle schoolers in the
reach for health service learning program. J Adolesc Health
2002;31:93‑100.
15. O’Donnell L, Stueve A, San Doval A, Duran R, Haber D,
Atnafou R, et al. The effectiveness of the reach for health
community youth service learning program in reducing early
and unprotected sex among urban middle school students. Am
J Public Health 1999;89:176‑81.
16. Denner J, Coyle K, Robin L, Banspach S. Integrating service
learning into a curriculum to reduce health risks at alternative
high schools. J Sch Health 2005;75:151‑6.
17. Goldzweig IA, Levine RS, Schlundt D, Bradley R, Jones GD,
Zoorob RJ, et al. Improving seat belt use among teen drivers:
Findings from a service‑learning approach. Accid Anal Prev
2013;59:71‑5.
18. Venditti EM, Giles C, Firrell LS, Zeveloff AD, Hirst K, Marcus MD,
et al. Interactive learning activities for the middle school classroom
to promote healthy energy balance and decrease diabetes risk in
the HEALTHY primary prevention trial. Health Promot Pract
2014;15:55‑62.
19. Lonsdale C, Rosenkranz RR, Sanders T, Peralta LR, Bennie A,
Jackson B, et al. A cluster randomized controlled trial of strategies
to increase adolescents’ physical activity and motivation in
physical education: Results of the motivating active learning in
physical education (MALP) trial. Prev Med 2013;57:696‑702.
20. Craft M, Croucher R, Dickinson J, James M, Clements M,
Rodgers AI, et al. Natural nashers: A programme of dental
health education for adolescents in schools. Int Dent J
1984;34:204‑13.
21. Worthington HV, Hill KB, Mooney J, Hamilton FA, Blinkhorn AS.
A cluster randomized controlled trial of a dental health
education program for 10‑year‑old children. J Public Health Dent
2001;61:22‑7.
22. Biesbrock AR, Walters PA, Bartizek RD. Short‑term impact of a
national dental education program on children’s oral health and
knowledge. J Clin Dent 2004;15:93‑7.
23. Reinhardt CH, Löpker N, Noack MJ, Klein K, Rosen E. Peer
tutoring pilot program for the improvement of oral health
behavior in underprivileged and immigrant children. Pediatr
Dent 2009;31:481‑5.
24. Tolvanen M, Lahti S, Poutanen R, Seppä L, Pohjola V, Hausen H,
et al. Changes in children’s oral health‑related behavior,
knowledge and attitudes during a 3.4‑yr randomized clinical
trial and oral health‑promotion program. Eur J Oral Sci
2009;117:390‑7.
25. Aleksejūnienė J, Brukienė V, Džiaugyte L, Pečiulienė V,
Bendinskaitė R. A theory‑guided school‑based intervention in
order to improve adolescents’ oral self‑care: A cluster randomized
trial. Int J Paediatr Dent 2016;26:100‑9.
26. AngelopoulouMV, Kavvadia K, Taoufik K, Oulis CJ. Comparative
clinical study testing the effectiveness of school based oral health
education using experiential learning or traditional lecturing in
10‑year‑old children. BMC Oral Health 2015;15:51.
27. Angelopoulou MV, Oulis CJ, Kavvadia K. School‑based oral
health‑education program using experiential learning or
traditional lecturing in adolescents: A clinical trial. Int Dent J
2014;64:278‑84.
28. Silberman M, Biech E. Active Training: A Handbook of
Techniques, Designs, Case Examples and Tips. 4th Edition. New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2015.
29. Yoder KM. A framework for service‑learning in dental education.
J Dent Educ 2006;70:115‑23.
30. Hunt JB, Bonham C, Jones L. Understanding the goals of service
learning and community‑based medical education: A systematic
review. Acad Med 2011;86:246‑51.
31. O’Brocta R. Pharmacists’ participation in the development of an
experiential program. J Pharm Pract 2010;23:371‑3.
32. Stallwood LG, Groh CJ. Service‑learning in the nursing
curriculum: Are we at the level of evidence‑based practice? Nurs
Educ Perspect 2011;32:297‑301.
33. Merriam SB, Caffarella RS, Baumgartner L. Learning in
Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide. 3rd Edition. San Francisco:
JohnWiley & Sons Inc; 2007.
34. Zigmont JJ, Kappus LJ, Sudikoff SN. The 3D model of debriefing:
Defusing, discovering, and deepening. Semin Perinatol
2011;35:52‑8.
35. Gillis A, Mac Lellan M. Service learning with vulnerable
populations: Review of the literature. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh
2010;7:Article41.
36. Lautar CJ, Miller FY. Service‑learning and dental hygiene:
A literature review. J Dent Hyg 2007;81:64.
37. Romito L, Schrader S, Zahl D. Using experiential learning and OSCEs to teach and assess tobacco dependence education with
first‑year dental students. J Dent Educ 2014;78:703‑13.
38. Taylor GW, Stumpos ML, Kerschbaum W, Inglehart MR.
Educating dental students about diet‑related behavior change:
Does experiential learning work? J Dent Educ 2014;78:64‑74.
39. Kay EJ, Baba SP. Designing dental health education materials for
schoolteachers: Formative evaluation research. J Clin Pediatr Dent
1991;15:195‑8.
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