Perspectives of Maryland adults regarding caries prevention

A.M. Horowitz, D.V. Kleinman, W. Child and C. Maybury

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, issue 5, e58-e64

Abstract: Objectives: We obtained in-depth information from low-income parents and caregivers of young children about their knowledge and understanding of and practices related to the prevention and control of dental caries (tooth decay). Methods: In 2010, we conducted 4 focus groups in Maryland communities with low-income, English-speaking parents and caregivers who had at least 1 child aged 6 years or younger or who were pregnant. We developed a focus group guide based on findings of a previous statewide random telephone survey of adults with young children. Results: Most participants had limited understanding of and extensive misinformation about how to prevent dental caries. They were confused about the use of juice and its impact on their child's teeth and had limited understanding of the use of fluorides to prevent caries. Most did not drink tap water and did not give it to their children; rather, they used bottled water. Conclusions: These results and those of the statewide telephone survey strongly suggest the need for educational interventions designed for those with limited levels of education.

Keywords: fluoride, attitude to health; caregiver; child; dental caries; dental procedure; female; human; infant; information processing; male; parent; poverty; preschool child; statistics and numerical data; United States, Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Care for Children; Dental Caries; Female; Fluorides; Focus Groups; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infant; Male; Maryland; Parents; Poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302565

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2015.302565_9

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302565

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().