title: Children's understanding of and motivations for toothbrushing: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore children's understanding of why they do or do not brush their teeth and their motivations for toothbrushing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 66 children aged 6-7 years and 10-11 years in four purposively selected primary schools in Cardiff, UK. Data were analysed using a constructive process of Thematic Content Analysis and techniques of open and selective coding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While a routine activity, toothbrushing was prompted rather than monitored by parents and easily fell by the wayside because of tiredness, excitement or distraction. Rationalizations for toothbrushing were poorly formed in the children's accounts and related to 'doom scenarios' such as teeth falling out, or to issues of personal grooming and cleanliness rather than caries prevention. Electric (powered) toothbrushes were popular and had engaged the children's interest. Social and domestic circumstances, such as when children stayed with different parents at different times, impacted on toothbrushing routines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has revealed information that is of value in directing oral health education messages, oral health promotion programmes and has identified issues that potentially affect compliance with toothbrushing that merit further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK, CF37 1DL. pwgill@glam.ac.uk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chetcuti
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Chestnutt
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods*; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology*