Mother's attitudes and self-efficacy toward brushing teeth of 1-year-old child

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to describe the mother's attitudes and self-efficacy toward brushing teeth of 1-year-old child. METHODS: A study was conducted on mothers who had child at age 1 in good general health. A questionnaire was completed by these mothers on their self-efficacy and attitudes toward brushing their child's teeth. Mothers' education levels were collected in the questionnaire as well. RESULTS: This study included 262 mothers whose children attended day care centers or parenting education centers. More than half (59%) of the mothers reported a high education level (14 or more years of schooling). The proportions of mothers who thought they knew how to brush their child's teeth properly were 36% and 25%, in the low and high education groups respectively (Chi-square test, p=0.031). Similar proportion of mothers in low and high education groups thought they were able to brush their child's teeth, 67% and 63%, respectively (p>0.05). In both education groups, more than 95% of the mothers believed it was important to brush their child's teeth. More than 70% of mothers in both education groups would force their child to brush teeth. CONCLUSION: Mother's attitudes toward brushing their child's teeth were very positive but their perceived self-efficacy was low, with little difference between mothers with different education levels. Training on parental toothbrushing should be delivered to all the mothers of 1-year-old children to improve their self-efficacy and practice in brushing their child's teeth.