Toothpaste Use By Children, Oral Hygiene, and Nutritional Education: An assessment of parental performance
Authors: Wiener, R. Constance1; Crout, Richard J.; Wiener, Michael A.2
Source: Journal of Dental Hygiene, Volume 83, Number 3, Summer 2009 , pp. 141-145(5)
Publisher: American Dental Hygienists' Association
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Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine oral health habits and educational needs of children as reported by their parents or guardians attending a health fair in West Virginia.Methods: Parents and/or guardians completed a questionnaire about the oral hygiene care, food and beverage consumption of their children. They also demonstrated the amount of toothpaste applied to their children's toothbrush. Toothpaste samples were then weighed.Results: Eighty-seven parents or guardians participated. An average of 0.53 mg of toothpaste was dispensed per brushing, almost double the recommended amount. Most of the parents or guardians (75%) indicated their children had brushed twice the day prior to completing the questionnaire. Only 21% reported that their children's teeth had been flossed. Most children had a limited soda, sweet drinks, and fruit juice intake.Conclusions: Participants were apparently knowledgeable about prevention, the need to limit sugary beverages, and the importance of brushing twice a day. They were not as knowledgeable about the need for flossing, providing fruits and vegetables to their children, the significance of not skipping a meal, or the appropriate amount of toothpaste use.Keywords: TOOTHPASTE; PARENTS; NUTRITION; CHILDREN; ORAL HEALTH
Document Type: Research article
Affiliations: 1: Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health, West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Morgantown, WV 2: Restorative Dentistry, West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Morgantown, WV
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