title: Changing use and knowledge of fluoride toothpaste by schoolchildren, parents and schoolteachers in Beijing, China.
abstract: 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.
authors: Peking University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Beijing, China.
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Ling
authors: L
authors: Zhu
authors: BoXue
authors: B
authors: Zhang
authors: Poul Erik
authors: PE
authors: Petersen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides