Stuart A McErlain-Naylor
Experiences of Undergraduates Publishing Biomechanics Research
Journal of applied biomechanics
many preschool children ireland experience dental caries primary dentition rate dental caries varies impacted levels fluoride water socioeconomic status 1855 article reports novel initiative dental hygienists dhs supported preschool teachers pst implement toothbrushing programme children attending preschools ireland hypothesised initiative would create environment preschools would improve oral hygiene skills habits children increase oral health knowledge parents pst storybook brushing teeth brush bunny toothbrushing song information leaflets developed dhs provided specific online training programme resources including toothbrushes toothpastes delivered preschools training provided dhs pst prepare implement daily toothbrushing sessions standards toothbrushing programme followed childsmile programme questionnaires gathered quantitative qualitative data parents pst toothbrushing programme implemented pst 3 months sixteen dhs pst 19 classes 17 schools successfully delivered programme 331 children 227 parents completed pre postquestionnaires poor baseline knowledge relation spit dont rinse message increased 29 48 however improvement awareness benefits fluoride toothpaste awareness best brushing routines relation frequency length good baseline remained programme parents 90 felt programme impacted positively childs toothbrushing routine experimental study suggests logistics implementing daily toothbrushing routine improve oral hygiene skills habits preschool children possible irish preschool settings pst supported dhs parents oral health knowledge may improved may impact positively childrens daily toothbrushing routine larger study required confirm findings