<![CDATA[Oral health problems among Indonesian school-aged children remain prevalent, partly due to limited knowledge and improper toothbrushing practices. Digital educational media may support improvements in oral hygiene behavior. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the “GIGIKU HARTAKU” application compared with standard education in improving knowledge, parental involvement, and oral hygiene among fifth-grade elementary school students in Manado. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group study involved 120 students, with 60 in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The intervention group used the application, while the control group received standard dental education. Knowledge, parental involvement, and Debris Index (DI) were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and logistic regression. In the intervention group, mean DI decreased from 1.77 to 1.11 (p<0.001), while knowledge increased from 15.0 to 18.3 and parental involvement from 4.60 to 7.20 (both p<0.001). Knowledge was the strongest predictor of good DI (AOR=14.9; 95% CI: 3.20–69.30), followed by active parental involvement (AOR=5.54; 95% CI: 1.80–17.10) and female sex (AOR=2.67; 95% CI: 1.02–6.98). The “GIGIKU HARTAKU” application, combined with dental education, improved knowledge, parental involvement, and oral hygiene and may serve as a supplementary tool in school oral health programs.]]>
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