Lee E Y, Abdulhadi S, Alshawaf R, Durrani A, George D R, Nagpal A, O'Driscoll C J, Price H, van Harten M, Sagheri D
Department of Public and Child Dental Health, School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Apr;26(2):341-348. doi: 10.1007/s40368-024-00983-7. Epub 2024 Dec 11.
To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of Irish preschool teachers regarding the oral health (OH) of preschoolers aged 3-5 years old.
A validated 15-item questionnaire was completed by 90 preschool teachers in Dublin in January 2024. The questionnaire collected information on general demographics and assessed the knowledge and attitudes of teachers regarding early childhood OH. In addition, guided interviews were conducted to find out preschool teachers' awareness of OH training and resources, the challenges they face in organising OH education and their suggestions for improvement.
Out of a cohort of 90 respondents, the mean number of questions answered correctly was 5.32 out of 9. One-third (34.4%) of the teachers said they learnt their OH knowledge from school or college, 8.9% from early childhood care training, 22.2% from their own dentist and 24.4% from other sources. Most teachers implemented OH education in some form whilst others said they had no time or resources. Qualitative data revealed a lack of formal OH training and knowledge, ideas for integrated OH activities, importance of collaboration and community engagement, barriers and challenges in implementation and need for mandatory OH training.
There are gaps in OH knowledge and lack of OH training for Irish preschool teachers. By identifying barriers and facilitators around OH training and resources for preschool teachers, the preschool teachers can be encouraged to create more supportive environments for improved OH.
评估爱尔兰学前教师对3至5岁学龄前儿童口腔健康的知识、态度和行为。
2024年1月，都柏林的90名学前教师完成了一份经过验证的包含15个条目的问卷。该问卷收集了一般人口统计学信息，并评估了教师对幼儿口腔健康的知识和态度。此外，还进行了指导性访谈，以了解学前教师对口腔健康培训和资源的认识、他们在组织口腔健康教育方面面临的挑战以及他们的改进建议。
在90名受访者中，正确回答问题的平均数量为9题中的5.32题。三分之一（34.4%）的教师表示他们从学校或大学学到口腔健康知识，8.9%来自幼儿护理培训，22.2%来自自己的牙医，24.4%来自其他来源。大多数教师以某种形式实施了口腔健康教育，而其他人则表示他们没有时间或资源。定性数据显示缺乏正规的口腔健康培训和知识、综合口腔健康活动的想法、合作和社区参与的重要性、实施中的障碍和挑战以及对强制性口腔健康培训的需求。
爱尔兰学前教师在口腔健康知识方面存在差距，且缺乏口腔健康培训。通过识别学前教师在口腔健康培训和资源方面的障碍和促进因素，可以鼓励学前教师创造更有利的环境来改善口腔健康。
