Introduction:

oral diseases are very frequent, but they have managed to reduce where educational programmes have been implemented.

Objective:

to evaluate the results of an oral health education programme for pre-school children.

Methods:

a qualitative study was conducted in Sagua la Grande municipality during 2018-2019. The population consisted of 91 pre-school children from urban primary schools; children’s teachers and parents were taken into account as key informants. Interview and participant observation were used to collect information, as well as text composition and phrase completion techniques.

Results:

deficiencies in preschool children's level of knowledge on oral health were identified in relation to the categories: frequency and correct tooth brushing, harmful habits and health promotion actions, demonstrated by the interpretation of the recorded modifications. The children acquired new knowledge in relation to their oral health, which made them become health promoters.

Conclusions:

qualitative techniques were applied to evaluate the results of the educational programme on oral health, aimed at preschool children. It was possible to modify children’s knowledge from this grade on oral health in relation to the studied categories: frequency and correct tooth brushing, harmful habits and health promotion actions. The amount of education children receive has a powerful effect on their present and future oral health and life expectancy.