Changing use and knowledge of fluoride toothpaste by schoolchildren, parents and schoolteachers in Beijing, China.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the oral hygiene practices, current use of and knowledge about fluoride toothpaste among schoolchildren, parents, and schoolteachers; to describe the attitudes of parents and schoolteachers in relation to improving schoolchildren's oral health.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
1,557 schoolchildren, 1,132 parents, and 352 schoolteachers were recruited by multistage stratified sampling procedure in a district of Beijing, China.


METHODS
Self-completed questionnaire.


RESULTS
The percentage of schoolchildren, parents, and schoolteachers who actually used fluoride toothpaste was 88%, 86%, and 87%, respectively, and 74-78% of the respondent groups brushed their teeth twice a day or more. 64% of schoolchildren, 73% of parents, and 74% of schoolteachers confirmed the caries preventive effect of fluoride toothpaste. Toothpaste recommended by oral health professional organisations was preferred by respondents - particularly by schoolchildren - when purchasing toothpaste (86%). 93% of parents and 56% of schoolteachers recognised their important role in promoting children's oral health; however, their lack of knowledge seemed to be a major obstacle in fulfilling this role.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of fluoride toothpaste in Beijing appears to have increased during the past decade. In addition to mass communication comprehensive school-based oral health programmes are needed to continuously promote the use of fluoride toothpaste among schoolchildren.
Liu
Min
M
Peking University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Beijing, China.
Zhu
Ling
L
Zhang
BoXue
B
Petersen
Poul Erik
PE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010290:Parents; D013663:Teaching; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014504:Urban Health
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides