Abstract
ObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the oral health promotion services provided as part of the maternal and child health (MCH) services in the Tshwane Health District, Pretoria, South Africa.MethodsThe research design was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a modified standard questionnaire. The population was drawn from the parents/caregivers (PCGs) and the MCH nurses at seven clinics during June 2012 and June 2013 in Pretoria.ResultsThe nurses’ response rate was 83%; average age of 37 years. The majority of the nurses (65%) were females; 60% were professional nurses. Most (63%) of the nurses reported that they provided oral health education (OHE) services. A shortage of dental education materials (43%), staff time (48%), and staff training (52%) were large constraints to nurses providing OHE. The majority of PCGs (n = 382; mean age 31.5 years) had a low education level (76%). About 55% of PCGs received information on children’s oral health from the television and 35% at the MCH clinics. PCGs beliefs were worrying as about 38% believed primary dentition is not important and need not be saved.ConclusionThere is evidence of minimal integration of OHE at MCH sites. Parents’ beliefs are still worrying as a significant number do not regard the primary dentition as important. The MCH site remains an important easily accessible area for integration of oral health services with general health in complementing efforts in prevention of early childhood caries.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundThe most prevalent oral condition is early childhood caries (ECC) and it is a public health problem in South Africa (SA).[1]
Most (63%) of the nurses reported that they provided oral health education (OHE) services
Dental attendance before the age of 2 years is uncommon even though attendance with other health professionals is high[12]; these authors propose that there is a need for integration of oral health with other disciplines, because functioning in total isolation from one another may limit access to care
Summary
The most prevalent oral condition is early childhood caries (ECC) and it is a public health problem in South Africa (SA).[1] According to the South African National Children Oral Health Survey, 51% of children aged 4–5 years had active dental caries and 46.6% of those caries were untreated in 2004.2. Children and babies use the mouth to explore, eat, and express their intentions; ECC compromises the child’s health development. There is a direct societal and family impact in terms of opportunity costs for lost days at work and financial costs for the parents while children lose valuable school hours, and ECC adversely affects the quality of life in the family.[10] ECC is associated with several risky behaviours such as poor dietary and feeding practices, which are associated with frequent and cariogenic contemporary fluid intake[9] and, to a lesser extent, 100% fruit juice.[9]
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