Oral Health Promotion for children and toddlers

Objectives: Oral Health Promotion for children in Mother and Baby child health clinics (MCHC), where children aged 0-5 regularly visit
Methods: In 2009-2011, as part of the "Healthy habits for healthy mouths" programme, nurses received updates from the district dental officer and district dietitian and educational materials combining messages of healthy nutrition and oral health were developed. Materials included a game for preschoolers, a spinning wheel for the wall of the MCHC and a poster showing the amount of sugar in common drinks, for use in schools and health clinics.
Parents visiting MCHC with their children filled out questionnaires asking for demographic data and knowledge, attitude and practices of the parent and child.
Results: In total, 1,263 questionnaires were received from 14 MCHC.
The average age of the child was 25.5 months. Tooth-brushing twice a day was lowest amongst parents who defined themselves as ultra-orthodox 7,7% . Between meal snacking on sugary foods was most common amongst parents from the arab sector.
16% of children brushed twice a day and 32% not at all – data that reflects earlier studies. In contrast, only 45% of children went to sleep with a bottle, a reduction of almost half since the 2001 study.
Conclusions: The continuation of similar intervention programmes and expansion to a wider audience, are recommended.