ArticleEuropean archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry2026
A scoping review of the nature and extent of the use of storytelling as a component of oral health education.
Article in European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
purposeThis scoping review aims to systematically examine and assess the usage of storytelling as an intervention component in oral health education, with a focus on its implications for improving community engagement and oral health outcomes.
methodsFollowing the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a search of eight databases was conducted for published articles between 2010 and December 2025. Eligible studies included interventions in which storytelling was a core component of oral or dental health education. Data were extracted and synthesised descriptively to summarise target populations, intervention characteristics, delivery formats, outcomes, and study recommendations.
resultsTwenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were published after 2020 and conducted in diverse settings. Interventions targeted diverse populations, including children, adolescents, parents and caregivers, and individuals with special health care needs. Storytelling formats included oral stories, puppet shows, social stories, video modelling, interactive eBooks, and blended approaches incorporating songs, digital media, or collaborative learning. Overall, interventions consistently improved oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices, with some studies also reporting reductions in plaque levels, decreases in dental anxiety, and improvements in parental engagement. However, most were short-term, with limited evidence on sustainability, scalability, cost-effectiveness, or applications beyond younger populations.
conclusionStorytelling is a promising and culturally adaptable method for oral health education across diverse groups. It engages participants effectively and can be tailored for specific cultural and developmental contexts. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term impact, cost-effectiveness, digital innovations, and its role in wider age groups to optimise its contribution to oral health promotion.
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