Theoretically this programme is premised on the notion that a nursery school-targeted intervention will reach children sufficiently young to capture their attention, influence their oral health-related behaviours, and reinforce these messages via the application of fluoride varnish. And that these actions will improve the oral health of children living in under-served communities more speedily than those living in better-served areas.
Objectives: These assumptions beg two pertinent questions: firstly, whether this targeted intervention indeed reaches those most in need and, second, whether the intervention actually has the desired effect in the longer term of improving oral health and reducing the related inequality gap; a desirable effect clearly heavily dependent on appropriate engagement.
Methods: Research about the efficacy of reaching and understanding hard-to-reach populations and the relationship between targeted programmes and inequities is scarce. The researcher sought to explore these queries through the application of a multiple, embedded case study design that is descriptive, evaluative and explanatory in nature.
Results: Data indicate that uptake of CN, whilst generally favourable, is variable with some areas as low as 30-50%. The reasons for non-uptake are heterogeneous and characteristic of the locality in which the nursery school is based.
Conclusions: This presentation addressed issues around the nature of non-uptake of CN and potential methods to better engage those who may benefit from the programme. By utilizing CN as a primary example, consideration was also given to the relative efficacy of such targeted public health programmes in reducing inequities.