Evaluation of an oral health program for children in early childhood

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate an educative and oral health promotion program for children from three public daycare facilities in the city of João Pessoa (PB), in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Methods: Sample was composed of 219 children who were divided into four age groups: 0 to 12, 13 to 24, 25 to 36 and 37 to 48 months. All children were submitted to clinical exams and preventive procedures of hygiene and topical application of fluoride at 3-month intervals during 12 months. Mothers were given instructions of oral hygiene of their children. The dmft index and the presence of active white spots (AWS) were recorded. Results: Mean (SD) values of the initial and final dmft were 0.65 (1.3) and 0.72 (1.5), respectively (P < 0.05). The initial and final numbers of AWS were 44 and 08, respectively. The absence of nocturnal hygiene was associated with AWS for children that received nocturnal breast-feeding. The most relevant variables for dental caries development were: age group, absence of nocturnal oral hygiene and nocturnal breast-feeding; for AWS only the absence of nocturnal oral hygiene was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This oral health program showed to be effective in the maintenance of oral health. The most relevant risk factors for dental caries were absence of nocturnal oral hygiene and nocturnal breast-feeding.