Hands-on training for parents in affecting child’s oral health

Abstract

Objectives: to investigate the effectiveness of hands-on training in parental toothbrushing in improving children’s oral health-related behaviors and preventing early childhood caries (ECC). Method: A 2-year randomized controlled trail was conducted in Hong Kong. Preschool children aged below 2 years and their parents were recruited and randomly allocated into 3 groups. They received intervention according to group allocation: Gp1 – one-off oral health education; Gp2 – oral health education and toothbrushing training, reinforced every 6 months; Gp3 – the same intervention as Gp2 with addition applications of 5% sodium fluoride varnish every 6 months in the child. All children received oral examination at baseline and 24-month follow-up to assess their dental caries status. Questionnaires were completed by parents at baseline and 24-month follow-up to collect information on children’s oral health-related behaviors.

Results: A total of 450 children aged 8-23 months were recruited at baseline. After 24 months, 415 (92%) children and their parents attended the evaluation. The incidence of ECC was 12%, 12% and 19%, in Gp1 to Gp3, respectively (p=0.149). In all three groups, around 60% of parents brushed their child’s teeth at least twice per day (p>0.05). Proportions of children who performed self-toothbrushing were 81%, 87% and 95%, in Gp1 to Gp3, respectively (p=0.018). Use of fluoride toothpaste was also more common in Gps 2 and 3 than in Gp 1 (65% vs. 43%, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Parental toothbrushing training improves children’s practice of toothbrushing and use of fluoride toothpaste but does not affect the incidence of ECC in children aged 1-2 years.

(Funded by Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Grant # HKU771709M)

This abstract is based on research that was funded entirely or partially by an outside source: Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Grant # HKU771709M