An infant oral health programme in Goiânia-GO, Brazil: results after 3 years of establishment.
The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of an infant oral health programme 3 years after implementation, a programme focused on health education for parents and caries prevention methods for children in a baby clinic. A retrospective cohort study was carried out. The setting was the Infant Oral Health Programme developed at the baby clinic of the State Department of Health, Goiânia-GO, Brazil. The sample comprised 100 children who entered the programme from birth to 12 months and were followed for 2 to 3 years. Variables investigated were caries experience, caries risk, and children's behaviour in the dental clinic. The number of children with caries experience was 1 at the initial visit and 8 after the follow-up. There was a dramatic decrease in the number of children in the high risk group, from 51% at the initial visit to only 1% after 2 to 3 years. Children's behaviour in the dental clinic was according to their psychological development. It was concluded that the Infant Oral Health Programme in Goiânia showed positive outcomes after 3 years of establishment. Further investigations should evaluate the cost-benefit, as well as the effectiveness of the procedures used in the programme.
School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás.
Marina Batista Borges
MB
Pereira
Maria
M
do Carmo Matias Freire
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003740:Dental Clinics; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data