An intervention programme to establish regular toothbrushing: understanding parents' beliefs and motivating children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the benefit of twice daily toothbrushing on newly erupted first permanent molars. To investigate, through the Health Belief Model, how parents' beliefs influence the likelihood of their children brushing twice a day. To identify aspects of a toothbrushing intervention programme that can be used in general dental practice.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Schools in deprived communities in Scotland.


METHODS
461, 5-year-old children.


METHODS
Supervised toothbrushing on school-days with a 1,000 ppm chalk-based fluoride toothpaste for two years. A school and home-based incentive scheme including toothbrushing charts, 6-monthly dental examinations and parental questionnaires.


METHODS
Caries increment and twice daily toothbrushing.


RESULTS
In the control group, children who brushed once a day or less had 64% more caries than those who brushed at least twice a day (P = 0.001). In the intervention group this difference in caries was reduced to 16% (P > 0.05). The most significant parental belief explaining variation in twice-daily brushing was whether parents feel strongly that there is time to check their child's toothbrushing (P = 0.0001). The odds of these parents reporting that their child brushes twice daily are nearly three times greater. 95% of parents felt that toothbrushing charts would be a good way for dentists in practice to encourage children to brush regularly.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefit of twice daily toothbrushing on caries development in newly erupted first permanent molar teeth is around 50% compared to brushing once a day or less. Parents' beliefs do influence the likelihood of their children brushing twice a day. Key parts of the intervention programme can be used when children attend general dental practice and would be welcomed by parents.
Pine
C M
CM
Dental School, University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee DD1 4HR, Scotland, UK. c.m.pine@dundee.ac.uk
McGoldrick
P M
PM
Burnside
G
G
Curnow
M M
MM
Chesters
R K
RK
Nicholson
J
J
Huntington
E
E
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012571:School Dentistry; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data