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Determining the effect of parental/caregiver dental education on dental hygiene practices of their children
Objectives:Aim of the study was to determine the effect of parental/caregiver dental education on dental hygiene practices in their children. Goal of the study was to prevent dental caries and maintain oral hygiene of children through education.
Introduction: Dental caries is a disease of mineralized tissues of teeth caused by action of bacteria on dietary substrate and is the most common childhood disease in the United States. Research has shown that educating parents about oral hygiene importance and the correct methods to improve it can have a positive impact on their children.
Methods:The sample population included parents/caregivers of children aged 1 to 14 from David Raines Community Health Center (DRCHC), Bossier City, Louisiana. 38 participants were enrolled in the study. Data were collected using a survey for all participants (control and treatment) and an intervention program was conducted for the treatment group only. Intervention included dental health education about tooth brushing and flossing using flipchart and models. Post intervention data were collected again using similar survey from 20 respondents.
Results:Parents/caregivers showed improved awareness to fluoride purpose, type of toothpaste used by the child and family, time of last dental visit and action to be taken when child has a tooth cavity. Children showed an improvement in brushing frequency, behavior and method, in using the right type of toothbrush and in frequency of changing toothbrush.
Conclusion: Study showed increased awareness of parents/caregivers to dental hygiene practices and improvement in children’s dental hygiene.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsAdvocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Compare the effect of parental dental education through control and treatment groups on their children's oral hygiene behavior
Identify cost effective dental education intervention strategies to prevent dental diseases
Develop dental education programs for children through involvement of parents/caregivers
Keyword(s): Community Health Programs, Child Health Promotion
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a dental degree with six years clinical experience continued with health administration and public health education. The study was conducted as part of thesis for the Masters in Public Health program under the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Dennis Wissing, who has 40 years of experience in health science education, clinical practice, and research experience and is quite familiar with the type of study participants.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.