Association between level of parental oral health literacy and the rational use of fluoride for children 0 to 4 years of age after instruction: intervention trial

An inadequate level of oral health literacy (OHL) can hinder the understanding of dental information, which can have a negative impact on health promotion actions, such as the rational use of fluoride. The aims of the present study were: 1) to look for association between parents/guardians ´ OHL and the amount of fluoride toothpaste used for children from zero to four years of age; 2) to compare the effect of different modes of educational interventions on the amount of fluoride toothpaste used for children from zero to four years of age; 3) to assess the ability of parents/guardians to choose a toothpaste with adequate fluoride concentration, after the educational intervention. A randomized intervention study was conducted with parents/guardians of children zero to four years of age (n = 145). The participants answered the Oral Health Literacy Adults Questionnaire and a questi onnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics. The participants were allocated to four intervention groups based on type of counseling (written, oral, written + photograph and oral + photograph) with randomization stratified by level of OHL. The participants were instructed to place the adequa te amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush for children zero to four years of age (smear of 0.125 mg) before and after the intervention. The correct choice of toothpaste was also evaluated by the interpretation of the labels of four toothpastes of different brands and with different concentrations of f luorid...
Source: Caries Research - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research