Knowledge, attitude and practice among Health Visitors in the United Kingdom toward children's oral health

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of health visitors regarding children's oral health in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods:A web-based self-administered survey with 18 closed and 2 open ended questions was distributed to a convenience sample of approximately 9,000 health visitors who were currently employed in the United Kingdom and a member of the Institute of Health Visiting.Results: A total of 1,088 health visitors completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 12%. One-third of the health visitors reported that they had not received oral health training previously. Almost all agreed that oral health advice/promotion should be included in their routine health visiting contacts. Previous oral health training/education was associated with an increase in oral health knowledge; confidence in entering a discussion with parents/caregivers and willingness to be involved in dental referral process. Conclusions:The results of our study support the need for health visitors to receive oral health training in oral health promotion including oral health risk assessment, guidance on evidence based up-to-date prevention measures, increasing the dental attendance prevalence at early stages and awareness of including specific oral health guidelines/fact sheets into their regular practice. K E Y W O R D Schild health, community health nursing, health visitors, oral health, public health nursing education

Health visitors’ views on promoting oral health and supporting clients with dental health problems: a qualitative study

“…One-third reported that they had not received oral health training previously. 6 Currently, there is no national arrangement for health visitors to refer directly to general or 'high street' dentists.…”

“…5 Health visitors are nurses who engage with families in community settings. 6 Other terms include child health nurse, public health nurse, and child and family health nurse. Health visitors liaise with dental and other healthcare professionals to provide information for safeguarding board.…”

Oral health care in children

“…At times practitioners will need to have confidence to refer children and their families' to local dental services. Research indicates that this remains a challenge, for example one third of Health Visitors have never received oral health training (Oge et al, 2018)…”

Study of Parents’ KAP regarding their Children’s Oral Health and the Factors that Influence Children’s Risk of Dental Caries

“…17 UK-based researchers have suggested that, to protect children's oral health, "health visitors" (i.e., publichealth nurses) should receive training in oral-health promotion, including how to perform oral-health risk assessments and guidance on evidence-based, up-to-date prevention measures. 18 On the other hand, in the US the "dental home" has been developed to foster a comprehensive, sustained, coordinated, familycentered approach to providing oral-health care among children. 19 The success of this initiative should be noted, and similar approaches should be considered in other countries.…”

“…Active learning and understanding of oral-health-related knowledge among parents are conducive to timely health interventions for children and guidance that protects children's teeth. 27 Regular dental check-ups play a key role in maintaining oral health; 18 thus, parents should insist on regularly accompanying children to hospitals or community medical institutions for dental check-ups. More importantly, countries should explicitly include dental examinations in their health-care plans.…”