Background

Parent-led toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is part of an evidence-based strategy to prevent caries in children. There is a gap in the literature regarding perceptions of how and when to assist a child with toothbrushing from the maternal perspective.

Methods

A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted with participants in North and North Central Appalachia to examine maternal perceptions of when and how to assist with toothbrushing. From 2018 through 2022, 301 mothers of children aged 3 through 5 years volunteered to participate in semistructured interviews from a more extensive parent study (Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia cohort). The qualitative data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using Nvivo software, Version 12 (QSR International). The data were analyzed using grounded theory, constant comparative method, and template analysis.

Results

A total of 301 mothers were interviewed for this study; 156 (52%) lived in West Virginia and 145 (48%) lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Four main themes emerged: (1) assisting with child toothbrushing, (2) ceasing to provide assistance with child toothbrushing, (3) lacking recommendations from dental care professionals on child toothbrushing, and (4) adhering to recommendations from dental care professionals on child toothbrushing assistance.

Conclusions

Understanding the factors that influence how parents brush their children's teeth and the information they receive to guide daily dental hygiene behavior for children is essential in developing effective interventions for preventing caries in children.

Practical implications

These insights can improve child toothbrushing quality through improved oral hygiene education, recommendations, terminology, and policies from the dental community.