Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care
Abstract Background Early childhood caries (tooth decay) can adversely affect child growth, development and well-being and is a leading cause of preventable hospitalisation for pre-school aged children. This necessitates the introduction of preventive measures in infancy, including twice daily tooth...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22487-9 |
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| author | Olivia Walsh Amrit Chauhan My-Van Trinh Clare Lin Sarah Marshall Kara A Gray-Burrows Mihiri Silva |
| author_facet | Olivia Walsh Amrit Chauhan My-Van Trinh Clare Lin Sarah Marshall Kara A Gray-Burrows Mihiri Silva |
| author_sort | Olivia Walsh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Early childhood caries (tooth decay) can adversely affect child growth, development and well-being and is a leading cause of preventable hospitalisation for pre-school aged children. This necessitates the introduction of preventive measures in infancy, including twice daily toothbrushing and timely dental visits. This study explored the barriers and enablers parents face in providing optimal oral care for their young children. Methods We interviewed Australian parents with 0-36-month-old children about two key behaviours related to their child’s oral health: (1) the timing of first dental visit and (2) twice daily toothbrushing. Parents were recruited via social media advertising and all interviews were conducted online via Zoom. Interviews were based on a semi-structured interview guide mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data was coded to the TDF, summarised, and categorised as a barrier or enabler before being grouped into themes and sub-themes using framework analysis. Results Fifteen interviews were completed between May 2022– May 2023. Thirteen of the 14 TDF domains were represented in the data. The three most dominant TDF domains across the dataset were social influences, environmental context and resources, and knowledge. Four themes were developed from the data: (1) Conflict, (2) Family and social norms, (3) Wanting a positive oral health experience, and (4) Uncertainty. These themes represent both barriers and enablers to optimal infant and young children’s oral care. Parents face complex decision-making challenges regarding their young children’s oral health care, particularly managing actual and perceived conflicts with their child. Knowledge and social and family norms influence their approach to managing these barriers. Conclusions The key influences enabling or preventing optimal infant oral care identified in this study lay the foundation for interventions to target these behaviours. To encourage a timely first dental visit, parents need consistent messaging from dental and other health professionals. To encourage twice daily toothbrushing, parents need more support in managing their child’s behaviour and competing priorities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7e99efcaaef34967a65d8d846dffd3a2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e99efcaaef34967a65d8d846dffd3a22025-08-20T03:04:54ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-04-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-22487-9Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral careOlivia Walsh0Amrit Chauhan1My-Van Trinh2Clare Lin3Sarah Marshall4Kara A Gray-Burrows5Mihiri Silva6Inflammatory Origins, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s HospitalSchool of Dentistry, University of LeedsInflammatory Origins, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s HospitalMelbourne Dental School, University of MelbourneInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin universitySchool of Dentistry, University of LeedsInflammatory Origins, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s HospitalAbstract Background Early childhood caries (tooth decay) can adversely affect child growth, development and well-being and is a leading cause of preventable hospitalisation for pre-school aged children. This necessitates the introduction of preventive measures in infancy, including twice daily toothbrushing and timely dental visits. This study explored the barriers and enablers parents face in providing optimal oral care for their young children. Methods We interviewed Australian parents with 0-36-month-old children about two key behaviours related to their child’s oral health: (1) the timing of first dental visit and (2) twice daily toothbrushing. Parents were recruited via social media advertising and all interviews were conducted online via Zoom. Interviews were based on a semi-structured interview guide mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data was coded to the TDF, summarised, and categorised as a barrier or enabler before being grouped into themes and sub-themes using framework analysis. Results Fifteen interviews were completed between May 2022– May 2023. Thirteen of the 14 TDF domains were represented in the data. The three most dominant TDF domains across the dataset were social influences, environmental context and resources, and knowledge. Four themes were developed from the data: (1) Conflict, (2) Family and social norms, (3) Wanting a positive oral health experience, and (4) Uncertainty. These themes represent both barriers and enablers to optimal infant and young children’s oral care. Parents face complex decision-making challenges regarding their young children’s oral health care, particularly managing actual and perceived conflicts with their child. Knowledge and social and family norms influence their approach to managing these barriers. Conclusions The key influences enabling or preventing optimal infant oral care identified in this study lay the foundation for interventions to target these behaviours. To encourage a timely first dental visit, parents need consistent messaging from dental and other health professionals. To encourage twice daily toothbrushing, parents need more support in managing their child’s behaviour and competing priorities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22487-9(3–10): oral healthBehaviour changePediatric dentistryInfant careChildToothbrushing |
| spellingShingle | Olivia Walsh Amrit Chauhan My-Van Trinh Clare Lin Sarah Marshall Kara A Gray-Burrows Mihiri Silva Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care BMC Public Health (3–10): oral health Behaviour change Pediatric dentistry Infant care Child Toothbrushing |
| title | Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care |
| title_full | Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care |
| title_fullStr | Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care |
| title_short | Parents’ perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care |
| title_sort | parents perceived barriers and enablers to providing optimal infant oral care |
| topic | (3–10): oral health Behaviour change Pediatric dentistry Infant care Child Toothbrushing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22487-9 |
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