The study of the improvement of children's oral health in childcare centers in 2007

Abstract

The study of the improvement of children's oral health in childcare centers in 2007 aimed to evaluate the tooth-brushing activity, the snack consumption, teeth examination, and the effectiveness of oral health policies in childcare centers. The data was collected by interviewing child caretakers in 1153 centers in 6 provinces during June to July 2007. The study showed that the tooth-brushing activity in childcare centers had been carried out satisfactorily. In particular, 89.8% of the centers conducted the after-lunch tooth-brushing activity, 84.8% had the children separated their own toothbrush, 92.5% used fluoridetoothpaste, and 59.7% had their caretakers to provide toothpaste for children each time in the amount approximately equal to the size of a green bean. Nevertheless, the toothbrush replacement and the quality of snacks provided for children in childcare centers were considered unsatisfactory. The study showed that 38.8% of the centers replaced toothbrush for children once every semester, and 30.5% only once a year. Moreover, most childcare centers provided snacks that had high risk to cause caries. These snacks included sweets (73.5%), sweetened milk/yogurt (74.2%), and bottled milk (86.6%). For childcare centers that provided fruits as snacks 3-5 days per week, 16.4% of them provided fruits in the morning, while 19.5% in the afternoon. The frequency of teeth examination by caretakers was very different among childcare centers: 45.7% did the examination everyday, and 36.8% once a week. The caries examination was carried out in 3 ways: examination by the caretaker, examination by the official, and by both caretaker and official. In particular, 70.7% of childcare centers had their caretakers examined teeth for children. For caries treatments, most caretakers would suggest guardians to take their children to the dentist when necessary. Only 17.9% offered treatments by professionals in-house. For the improvement of childrens oral health in childcare centers, the supports were normally given by local authorities, who provided locations (43.3%), toothpaste (28.0%), toothbrush (26.9%), and education for caretakers (20.9 %).The supports from guardians normally included toothbrush (49.9%) and toothpaste (46.2%). Most supports from the officials were in the forms of education for caretakers (44.5%), toothbrush (32.4%), and toothpaste (28.3%). Normally, childcare centers did not get supports from temples or local communities.