Child- and family-level predictors of tooth brushing frequency in a sample of Australian children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of factors that are conducive to good toothbrushing practices is fundamental for planning oral health promotion interventions. AIM: This study evaluated the relationships between child and family socio-demographic characteristics; children's behaviour during toothbrushing; family support for toothbrushing; parents' practices, attitudes and knowledge related to toothbrushing; general parenting practices; and children's behavioural problems and children's toothbrushing frequency. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and May 2020 with parents of children aged 2-8 years, recruited through childcare centers throughout Australia. Parents completed self-administered surveys on child and family characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 606 parents completed the survey. Only half (52.5%) of children brushed twice or more/day. Children of university educated parents [Odds Ratio (OR): 6.48; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI):1.21-34.71] and those concerned about their child's toothbrushing (OR: 1.44;95% CI:1.21-1.72) were more likely to brush twice or more per day. Where children were non-compliant during toothbrushing or parents reported using ineffective parenting strategies during toothbrushing, children were less likely to brush their teeth twice or more/day. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of parenting and child behaviour that were specific to the toothbrushing context were stronger predictors of twice-daily brushing compared to more general measures of parenting and child behaviour, which did not contribute to the model.