Latino children suffer disproportionately high rates of early childhood caries. Few evidence- and theory-based interventions exist targeting this population.
Objectives:
To determine the effectiveness of the Contra Caries Oral Health Education Program (CCOHEP) for improving Latino parental oral hygiene behaviors for their young children.
Methods:
Low-income Spanish-speaking parents/caregivers of a child aged 1-5 years were recruited through community services in a rural town. Survey questions from the oral health Basic Research Facts Questionnaire measuring parental oral hygiene behavior for their children, including 5 aspects of toothbrushing (frequency, using fluoridated toothpaste, brushing before bed, not drinking or eating after nighttime brushing, and adult assistance), were verbally administered before and after attendance of CCOHEP. CCOHEP is a theory-based curriculum consisting of four 2-hour participatory classes led by designated Promotoras. Topics included children’s oral hygiene, caries etiology, dental procedures, nutrition, behavior management and skill-building activities. Analyses of within-person changes between pre- and posttests consisted of McNemar’s test for binary outcomes and signed rank tests for ordinal categorical outcomes.
Results:
104 caregivers participated in CCOHEP (n= 104 pretest, n=95 posttest). At baseline, only 18% of parents reported doing all aspects of oral hygiene according to professional guidelines. All parents did at least one aspect correctly: 51% brushed child’s teeth twice daily, 86% used fluoridated toothpaste, 61% brushed child’s teeth right before bed, 46% did not allow child to eat or drink after brushing before bed, and 56% provided adult assistance for brushing. At posttest, 42% of parents were completing all aspects of oral hygiene according to professional guidelines (p<.001); and 59% had improved in at least one area. Statistically significant improvements were seen in all 5 dimensions of oral hygiene (p≤.007).
Conclusion:
CCOHEP improved Spanish-speaking parents’ oral hygiene behaviors for their young children.