Increasing the awareness of the parents regarding the oral health status of their 0-3 years-old children

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to: (a) compare nursing students' knowledge about the oral and dental health of children before and after oral health education; (b) evaluate the effectiveness of oral health education of parents with children aged 0-3-year-old by these trained students during home visits.

Methods: In this quasiexperimental study, firstly, 60 senior students in the nursing department were trained on infants' and young children's oral and dental health through standartized training modules. Secondly, 180 parents with children aged 0-3 from low socioeconomic status were trained by the nursing students during home visits with face to face interviews. Both nursing students' and parents' pre and post-training knowledge levels and the changes in their awareness after training were measured using standard questions which were administered as pre-test (preT) and post-test (postT) with I week intervals. Wileoxon test was used to assess the differences of correct answers between pre- and post-tests. The significant value was considered as p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of the children of the parents was 18.92 +/- 9.96 months. The median values of preT and postT were found to be 28 and 37.5, respectively for the total number of correct answers given to 50 questions related to the education consisting of seven modules. It was determined that the total number of correct answers increased statistically significantly in postT (p<0.001). The median values of preT and postT correct answers to 14 questions in the education given to parents through brochures were found to be 6 and 10, respectively. It was determined that the total number of correct answers increased statistically significantly in postT after the training (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The knowledge level of nursing students about the oral and dental health of children can be increased through standardized training programs. Home visits and face-to-face interviews are applicable to increase awareness in parents by non-dental healthcare professionals.