An oral health promotion programme for nursing caries.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an oral health promotion programme involving health visitors and mothers of 8-month-old babies in order to address some of the risk factors associated with nursing caries.


METHODS
Two cross-sectional studies using postal questionnaires.


METHODS
A random sample of 250 mothers who had not received the oral health promotion programme and 250 mothers who had received the programme.


METHODS
The City of Salford.


RESULTS
The oral health promotion programme significantly improved mothers recall of advice given by health visitors encouraging the use of a feeder cup, brushing their babies' teeth with fluoride toothpaste and restricting sugary foods and drinks. Significant improvements were also found in recall of advice regarding the use of sugar-free medicine and registering babies with a dentist. The programme encouraged a higher proportion of the mothers to bring their children to clinics for a hearing check.


CONCLUSIONS
A simple oral health promotion programme facilitated by health visitors improved recall of advice and clinic visiting behaviour.
Hamilton
F A
FA
Salford Community Health Care NHS Trust, UK.
Davis
K E
KE
Blinkhorn
A S
AS
D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013395:Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D013395:Sucrose