Goossens Joline, Poppe Louise, Lambert Martijn, Voortmans Doris, Phlypo Inès
Community Health Centre 't Vlot, New Orleansstraat 271, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Mar 15;25(1):1018. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22153-0.
Dental caries in young children is a severe public health problem. Children depend on their parents and care professionals for their oral health. The aim of this study is to gain in-depth insight into the factors influencing oral health care for young children.
A qualitative explorative research design, within a constructivist research paradigm, was used. Eight individual and three focus group interviews were conducted with parents of children aged 6 months to 6 years. Particular emphasis was dedicated to the inclusion of parents from minority groups. Individual interviews were conducted with eight professionals from different health and welfare sectors working with young children and families. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Several factors influence young children's oral health, including time issues, children's uncooperative behaviour, parents' own oral health habits, family and cultural norms, and lack of knowledge. Parents from minority groups experience more barriers. Non-dental professionals report different barriers for taking responsibility about the topic including lack of time, lack of knowledge, and considering oral health as a taboo subject.
Care guidelines for young children and training in initiating conversations regarding oral health with parents are needed for professionals.
幼儿龋齿是一个严重的公共卫生问题。儿童的口腔健康依赖于他们的父母和护理专业人员。本研究的目的是深入了解影响幼儿口腔保健的因素。
采用建构主义研究范式下的定性探索性研究设计。对6个月至6岁儿童的家长进行了8次个人访谈和3次焦点小组访谈。特别强调纳入少数群体的家长。对来自不同健康和福利部门、与幼儿及家庭打交道的8名专业人员进行了个人访谈。采用反思性主题分析法对数据进行分析。
有几个因素影响幼儿的口腔健康，包括时间问题、儿童的不合作行为、父母自身的口腔健康习惯、家庭和文化规范以及知识匮乏。少数群体的家长面临更多障碍。非牙科专业人员报告了在承担该主题责任方面存在的不同障碍，包括时间不足、知识匮乏以及将口腔健康视为禁忌话题。
专业人员需要针对幼儿的护理指南以及与家长就口腔健康展开对话的培训。
