[Tooth brushing in babies and toddlers].

The aim of this study was to investigate tooth brushing in toddlers and children younger than 4 years of age and the experiences of their parents. This study was performed in 3 towns in the middle of the Netherlands at the Office for Parent and Childcare. 99.4% of the children were brushed at least once a day during 0.5-1 minute. Tooth brushing is considered as a part of daily health care. Most children are cooperative and their parents enjoy brushing the teeth of their children. 17.5% of all parents experience problems with brushing teeth of their toddler or young child; 46% of them would like more information. But as the total number of children in a family increases, the parents' pleasure in brushing decreases. The Office for Parent and Childcare in the Netherlands has an important place in providing information on oral healthcare and especially tooth brushing for toddlers and children younger than 4 years of age. It would be useful to investigate how these healthcare workers get their dental information.