Parental Behaviour Change following a Dental Health Promotion Project (MANCIT)

Objectives: to measure the effects of a multi-stage dental health promotion project on the reported weaning and toothbrushing behaviour of children aged 12 to 26 months Methods: An RCT was established by pairing matched Primary Care Groups and randomly allocating them to test and control. In the test PCG areas a series of interventions was introduced which aimed to reduce caries among pre-school children. The interventions supported; increased trainer cup use as a replacement for the baby bottle, the use of sugar-free drinks, early commencement of toothbrushing and twice daily supervised brushing with family toothpaste. Questionnaires were developed and piloted to enquire into weaning and toothbrushing habits and the impact of the campaign itself. The Child Health System was used to identify parents with children aged 12 to 20 months and they were contacted by letter. Following this questionnaires were conducted over the telephone. Results: From the test PCG areas 79 parents took part and 89 from the control. Fewer children in the test area still used a baby bottle, test 67%, control 82% (p = 0.04). More children in the test area used non-cariogenic drinks only test 49%, control 24% (p = 0.0325). More children began toothbrushing at a younger age in the test area test 45%, control 27% (p = 0.02). More children in the test area brush twice a day test 52%, control 34% (p = 0.00). More parents in the test area remembered the stages of the MANCIT campaign. Conclusion: Parents from the areas where the MANCIT project had been introduced were more likely to report positive dental health behaviours than those in the control areas. The majority of parents in the test areas remembered the campaign and its messages. Study funded by NHS Primary Dental Care R&D Programme