Effects of a motivational program for caregivers on the oral hygiene quality of 10-to-36-month-old children: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in childhood and a major problem for world public healthcare. For dental caries onset, the presence of dental plaque is primordial, being plaque removal one of caries preventive measures. Children younger than 3 years old depend on adults for dental plaque controlling. Objective: To assess the quality of oral hygiene of children before and after a motivational program conducted with their caregivers. Material and methods: Twelve caregivers and 16 children (from 10 to 36 months old) entered the study. The children's oral hygiene quality was assessed with the Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) of upper and lower incisors at baseline, 1 and 3 months after the instructional lecture on oral health given to the caregivers. Results: It was verified a statistical difference in OHI of upper/lower incisors between baseline and 3 months after the lecture. At 1-month assessment after the lecture, there was an improvement in OHI of the upper incisors. There was no statiscally significant difference between upper and lower incisors. All incisors OHI for the three assessments showed a statiscally significant difference between the groups at baseline and 1 month after the lecture, returning to the initial indexes after 3 months. Conclusion: Punctual health education activities are not effective. They need to be continuous to institute changes in behavior regarding oral health.