Oral health promotion: knowledge, confidence, and practices in preventing early-severe childhood caries of Virginia WIC program personnel.

PURPOSE

This study assessed the oral health knowledge, confidence and practices of Virginia personnel in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

METHODS

In 2009, 257 WIC personnel were electronically emailed via an investigator-designed 22-item Survey Monkey® questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fishers Exact tests compared personnel demographics and oral health knowledge, confidence and practices at the p≤0.01 and 0.05 significance level.

RESULTS

Response rate was 68%. WIC personnel were knowledgeable about basic oral health concepts. More than half of those reporting were not confident assessing for visual signs of dental decay and do not routinely assess for visual signs of decay. Only 4% of personnel apply fluoride therapy.

CONCLUSION

Findings support the need for health promotion/disease prevention at WIC.