IADR Abstract Archives
Public Health Nurses and Oral Health Promotion for Preschool Children
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore public health nurses' oral health promoting services for children.
Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all public health nurses working with children 3 years or younger in five counties in south-eastern Norway. The population in the studied area constituted one third of the country’s total population. All children and their parents have regular contact with public health nurses during the first years of children's life, and at 3 years of age children are called to the dental clinic. Altogether, 163 public health nurses (55%) answered the questionnaire.
Results: Most public health nurses (89%) reported to give oral health information often at consultations with young children, 56% did so before the age of 6 months. Nearly half of the public health nurses (46%) reported that inspection of children's teeth always was performed at age 2 years, either by public health nurse or by medical practitioner. Public health nurses reported that the majority of parents (67%) requested information related to oral health. Most questions were related to tooth eruption, toothbrushing and toothpaste. The majority of public health nurses (71%) was satisfied with their competence regarding oral health.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the current system where public health nurses integrate oral health in general health promotion and inspect young children’s teeth at visits in health centres was implemented by a large proportion of public health nurses. Public health nurses not providing oral health information should be encouraged to include this service in health promoting activities.
Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all public health nurses working with children 3 years or younger in five counties in south-eastern Norway. The population in the studied area constituted one third of the country’s total population. All children and their parents have regular contact with public health nurses during the first years of children's life, and at 3 years of age children are called to the dental clinic. Altogether, 163 public health nurses (55%) answered the questionnaire.
Results: Most public health nurses (89%) reported to give oral health information often at consultations with young children, 56% did so before the age of 6 months. Nearly half of the public health nurses (46%) reported that inspection of children's teeth always was performed at age 2 years, either by public health nurse or by medical practitioner. Public health nurses reported that the majority of parents (67%) requested information related to oral health. Most questions were related to tooth eruption, toothbrushing and toothpaste. The majority of public health nurses (71%) was satisfied with their competence regarding oral health.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the current system where public health nurses integrate oral health in general health promotion and inspect young children’s teeth at visits in health centres was implemented by a large proportion of public health nurses. Public health nurses not providing oral health information should be encouraged to include this service in health promoting activities.