The Effectiveness of Education Based Programs Delivered by Nondental Professionals for Preventing Early Childhood Caries
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2015-03
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Abstract
Early childhood caries is the most common chronic infectious disease in children, yet completely preventable with proper oral hygiene. With Severe ECC, children require costly dental surgery, especially for those from low socioeconomic families. This is due to the fact that children under five years of age do not routinely encounter a dental care provider until it is too late. Nondental healthcare providers, on the other hand, are uniquely positioned to intervene. The objectives of this literature review was to determine whether dental health education programs provided by nondental care providers could improve outcomes related to early childhood caries for low-income children. And secondly, to identify effective dental education programs for caries prevention. A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted to meet these objectives. Home visitation delivered by nurses was found to be an effective and cost-efficient ways to deliver dental education. When support in terms of screening, oral hygiene instruction, and dental referrals are combined with education, the positive impact on early childhood caries increased. In conclusion, policymakers should implement oral health promotion programs using a combination of education and support delivered by nursing staff in client’s homes. Programs can be embedded into existing healthcare services across the province. However, services should be concentrated in low socioeconomic status communities and regions within Alberta. Furthermore, nurses must collaborate across disciplines to ensure seamless integration of oral health with general health and push for more rigorous research in this area to guide best practice. In conclusion, a combination of tailored approaches is necessary to achieve a sustained improvement in oral health throughout early childhood.
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Brar, Pamneet. (2015). The Effectiveness of Education Based Programs Delivered by Nondental Professionals for Preventing Early Childhood Caries ( Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.