Oral health care for children attending a malnutrition clinic in South Africa.
Most health problems dealt with at a primary care level have an oral health impact, making it vital for oral health services to find means to integrate with other facility-based programmes at primary health care (PHC) centres.


OBJECTIVE
1) To determine the oral status of the children attending a facility-based nutrition programme and the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices of their parents/caregivers; and 2) To develop a framework for an oral health component to complement this programme.


METHODS
A descriptive study of children and their parents/caregivers attending a facility-based nutrition programme (n = 60 children). A structured, administered questionnaire for parents/caregivers and an oral examination for the children was used for data collection.


RESULTS
The response rate was 82% (n = 49). Most parents start cleaning their children's mouths between 12 and 24 months (64%), add sugar to food and feeding bottles, and visit a dentist only when the child is symptomatic. These factors clearly place this group at risk for developing dental caries and gingivitis. Their malnutrition status/history increases their risk of oral diseases. The oral examination found plaque deposits, gingivitis, caries and 'white spots'.


CONCLUSIONS
This study clearly shows the need for an oral health component for children attending the facility-based nutrition programme. Promotion, prevention and therapeutical oral care can be maximized by the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders and an interdisciplinary approach. This shows an expanded role for the dental team with specific reference the oral hygienist in such an environment.
Gordon
N
N
Department of Oral Hygiene, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. ngordon@uwc.ac.za
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D009909:Oral Health; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires