Abstract
Access to dental care is a national problem. Nurses and Dietitians have a responsibility to empower mothers and their children to maintain good oral health. To address this need, a grant from The Kellogg Foundation provided money to focus on lower-income WIC children, a segment of the population particularly prone to dental decay. Children under the age of 5, received fluoride varnish to their teeth and education about nutrition and care of their teeth and mouth.
Design: This pilot study used a descriptive research design to answer the research questions: 1) What is the present condition of teeth in children 0-5 who are enrolled in a WIC program? 2) What dietary practices are being used that promote development of cavity formation? 3) How receptive are mothers and children to fluoride varnish?
Methodology: A purposive sample of mothers and children who enrolled in a WIC clinic participated in the study. Fluoride varnish was applied to the child's teeth following a brief description of the benefits of the varnish. Mothers and children were taught appropriate methods of cavity prevention.
Results: Oral assessments were completed for 632 children, 119 (18.8%) of those children had visible lesions on their teeth or had discolored teeth; 128 (20.3%) drank sugary juices. Only 17% of the children ate vegetables or fruits at least once a day.
The process of educating mothers and children about oral health and hygiene, and application of fluoride varnish to teeth in an interdisciplinary collaborative relationship with WIC demonstrates promise for the implementation of similar programs to promote good oral health.
Sigma Membership
Unknown
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Collaborative Community Projects, Oral Health Care
Recommended Citation
Huff, Marlene; Leahy, Peter; Biordi, Diana; Thacker, Sherrey; Norris, Marianne; and DiMarco, Marguerite, "Prevention and promotion of oral health for children" (2012). Convention. 95.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2011/presentations_2011/95
Conference Name
41st Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Grapevine, Texas, USA
Conference Year
2011
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Prevention and promotion of oral health for children
Grapevine, Texas, USA
Access to dental care is a national problem. Nurses and Dietitians have a responsibility to empower mothers and their children to maintain good oral health. To address this need, a grant from The Kellogg Foundation provided money to focus on lower-income WIC children, a segment of the population particularly prone to dental decay. Children under the age of 5, received fluoride varnish to their teeth and education about nutrition and care of their teeth and mouth.
Design: This pilot study used a descriptive research design to answer the research questions: 1) What is the present condition of teeth in children 0-5 who are enrolled in a WIC program? 2) What dietary practices are being used that promote development of cavity formation? 3) How receptive are mothers and children to fluoride varnish?
Methodology: A purposive sample of mothers and children who enrolled in a WIC clinic participated in the study. Fluoride varnish was applied to the child's teeth following a brief description of the benefits of the varnish. Mothers and children were taught appropriate methods of cavity prevention.
Results: Oral assessments were completed for 632 children, 119 (18.8%) of those children had visible lesions on their teeth or had discolored teeth; 128 (20.3%) drank sugary juices. Only 17% of the children ate vegetables or fruits at least once a day.
The process of educating mothers and children about oral health and hygiene, and application of fluoride varnish to teeth in an interdisciplinary collaborative relationship with WIC demonstrates promise for the implementation of similar programs to promote good oral health.
Description
41st Biennial Convention - 29 October-2 November 2011. Theme: People and Knowledge: Connecting for Global Health. Held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.