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How do parents look after children’s teeth? A qualitative study of attitudes to oral health in the early years

Roberts, Kate; Condon, Louise

Authors

Kate Roberts

Louise Condon



Abstract

This study aimed to examine how parents and carers of preschool children care for their children’s teeth. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers of preschool children at a Children’s Centre in Bristol. The interviewees were aged between 29 and 37 years old, and the number of children in the families ranged from 1 to 4 with their age range spanning 4 weeks old to 11 years old. Using a grounded theory approach, transcribed interviews were coded and analysed until several themes emerged from the data.

The study identified an overarching theme of parental belief that oral health care for their children was common sense which was a key factor influencing advice seeking from professionals. Subthemes were the difficulties in establishing home oral health care routines and a lack of knowledge of when to register their child with a dentist. Advice was often given inconsistently and parents experienced difficulties in accessing services, often not seeking advice and information proactively. This study concluded that some parents are therefore missing out on important early information, advice and care around oral health for their young children.

Citation

Roberts, K., & Condon, L. (2014). How do parents look after children’s teeth? A qualitative study of attitudes to oral health in the early years. Community Practitioner, 87(4), 32-35

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Community Practitioner
Print ISSN 1462-2815
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 87
Issue 4
Pages 32-35
Keywords parents, teeth, oral health, early years
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/819814
Publisher URL http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cp/cp/2014/00000087/00000004/art00013/
Related Public URLs http://www.readperiodicals.com/201404/3272437301.html
http://www.communitypractitioner.com/


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