Methods: This study was conducted among young children in Hong Kong. Subjects were recruited from child care centers or parenting education centers and were randomly allocated into one positive control group (Gp1, brief oral health education without hands-on training to parents) and two interventional groups (Gp2- semi-annual reinforced oral health education and hands-on training in parental toothbrushing; Gp3- semi-annual application of fluoride varnish in addition to the intervention provided to Gp2). At baseline and after 2 years, the children were clinically examined and parents were asked to complete questionnaires to collect information on the child’s oral health related behaviors and parents’ knowledge and attitude towards child’s oral health.
Results: A total of 450 children aged 8-23 months were recruited at baseline. So far, 205 children were followed for 2 years. The incidences of caries in Gp1 to Gp3 were 10%, 13% and 16%, respectively (P=0.572). Mean Visible Plaque Index scores of Gp1, Gp2, and Gp3 were 20%, 24%, and 18%, respectively (P=0.009). Overall, around 70% of the parents brushed their child’s teeth at least twice a day. The proportions of children with at least twice daily self-toothbrushing in Gp1 to Gp3 were 44%, 49% and 61%, respectively (P=0.120). 55% of parents in Gp1 thought they knew how to brush child’s teeth properly, and this figure increased to 69% and 85% in Gp2 and Gp3, respectively (P=0.001). The parents’ oral health knowledge scores in Gp1 to Gp3 were 4.4, 4.7 and 5.1, respectively (P=0.001).
Conclusions: Hands-on parental toothbrushing training can improve parents’ oral health knowledge and self-efficacy on parental toothbrushing. However this may not result in reducing incidence of dental caries among the young children.
(Funded by HK Research Grants Council, #HKU771709M)