Oral health awareness, promotion of home oral self-care, and professional oral health care among young mothers and their babies: a pilot project

Background: The purpose of this pilot-project among young mothers and their babies was to determine the impact of a low threshold approach for the promotion of oral health, and to understand the engagement with oral self-care. Understanding factors which may influence young mothers’ responsibility and ability to deliver their roles as caregivers is necessary to ensure that their babies receive preventive care in a (cost)-effective way. Methods: Two workshops aiming to reach a ‘young mothers group’ at the Social and Legal Services (MJD) in Groningen were undertaken. The young mothers -17 up to 24 yearscompleted an index for determining and evaluating personal oral hygiene behavior. To support the informative intervention, the young mothers were invited to visit the Oral Hygienists Group-Groningen for a professional oral health screening. For participating in the workshop the mothers were rewarded with a toothbrush for themselves and with a children’s toothbrush, including toddler toothpaste. Results: At the first workshop, all mothers have babies and toddlers. It was determined that two-third of the young mothers, brushed their teeth 2 times per day with a manual tooth brush, and three-quarters of them reported to brush the teeth at least before to go to sleep. Interdental aids, such as the use of floss or toothpicks were hardly used. In the second workshop the previous young mothers group was expanded with a 7 month pregnant woman. During this repetitive informative meeting, the emphasis was mainly on health awareness and oral health care of the babies and toddlers. Enthusiasm and active participation had not been converted directly into a visit or a free consult to the oral hygienist. Conclusion: This exploratory approach may improve the mothers’ knowledge; it may encourage their home self-care. In addition, an adequate prevention policy tailored to this target group, or to the individual young mother, can be developed. Correspondence to: Yvonne A.B. Buunk-Werkhoven, PhD, MSc, RDH Rozenstraat 74a, 1016 NX Amsterdam, Netherlands; Tel: +31651873389; E-mail: [email protected]