Abstract
The aim of this study was to record self-reported factors for non-compliance to ‘dental home’ preventive measures among pediatric patients, and to clarify whether number or frequency of recall appointments increases their long-term compliance to dental home. Children attending recall appointments in a pediatric dental clinic were interviewed regarding their compliance as well as factors for non-compliance with the previously recommended preventive measures. Files of 651 children were analyzed. A significant positive correlation was found between compliance with regular teeth brushing twice a day (p < 0.0001), using correct fluoride concentration toothpaste (p < 0.0001), drinking water between meals (p < 0.0001), using Elmex gel (p < 0.0001), flossing (p < 0.002) and number of recall appointments. The most common factor for non-compliance to ‘dental home’ was ‘I forgot’. Not flossing was commonly justified by performance difficulty while non-compliance to Elmex gel or to mouth rinses was attributed mainly to ‘bad taste’. Additional common reasons were ‘it was finished’, ‘my parents did not purchase’, ‘I did not find it at home’, ‘I did not know I need to’. Frequency and number of recall appointments might improve compliance with dental preventive measures. Referring to the specific factors of personal non-compliance may increase compliance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Reference Manual 2009–2010, 31(6):10.
CDC. Recommendations for using fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2001;50(RR14):1–42.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Pediatric Workforce. Culturally effective pediatric care: education and training issues. Pediatrics. 1999;103:167–70.
American Academy of Pediatrics. The medical home. Pediatrics. 2002;110:184–6.
Albandar JM, Buischi YA, Mayer MP, Axelsson P. Long-term effect of two preventive programs on the incidence of plaque and gingivitis in adolescents. J Periodontol. 1994;65(6):605–10.
Bakdash B. Current patterns of oral hygiene product use and practices. Periodontol 2000. 1995;8:11–4.
Jones S, Hussey R, Lennon MA. Dental health related behaviours in toddlers in low and high caries areas in St. Helens, northwest England. Br Dent J. 1996;181:13–7.
Eckersley AJ, Blinkhorn FA. Dental attendance and dental health behaviour in children from deprived and non-deprived areas of Salford, north-west England. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2001;11:103–9.
Lee CM, Blain SM, Duperon DF. Parents’ self-reported compliance with preventive practices after witnessing their child undergo intravenous sedation for dental treatment. ASDC J Dent Child. 2002;69:77–80.
Ashkenazi M, Cohen R, Levin L. Self-reported compliance with preventive measures among regularly attending pediatric patients. J Dent Educ. 2007;71(2):287–95.
Levin L, Shenkman A. The relationship between dental caries status and oral health attitudes and behavior in young Israeli adults. J Dent Educ. 2004;68:1185–91.
Levin L, Rosenberg M. Oral hygiene, caries status and bad breath among young Israeli recruits. Refuat Hapeh Vehashinayim. 2005;22(1):27–31 (85, Hebrew).
Zaura E, ten Cate JM. Dental plaque as a biofilm: a pilot study of the effects of nutrients on plaque pH and dentin demineralization. Caries Res. 2004;38(Suppl 1):9–15.
Haynes RB. Introduction. In: Haynes RB, Taylor DW, Sackett DL, editors. Compliance in health care. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press; 1979. p. 1–7.
Zadik Y, Levin L. Does a free-of-charge distribution of boil-and-bite mouthguards to young adult amateur sportsmen affect oral and facial trauma? Dent Traumatol. 2009;25(1):69–72.
Zadik Y, Zusman SP, Galor S, Dinte AF. Dental attendance and self-assessment of dental status by Israeli military personnel according to gender, education, and smoking status, 1998–2006. Mil Med. 2009;174(2):197–200.
Wang NJ, Aspelund GO. Children who break dental appointments. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2009;10(1):11–4.
Baker KA. The role of dental professionals and the patient in plaque control. Periodontol 2000. 1995;8:108–13.
Genco RJ, Goldman HM, Cohen DW. Contemporary Periodontics. St. Louis: CV Mosby Company; 1990. p. 520–4.
Berndsen M, Eijkman MA, Hoogstraten J. Compliance perceived by Dutch periodontists and hygienists. J Clin Periodontol. 1993;20(9):668–72.
Blinkhorn AS. Factors affecting the compliance of patients with preventive dental regimens. Int Dent J. 1993;43:294–8.
Treadaway K, Cutter G, Salter A, Lynch S, Simsarian J, Corboy J, Jeffery D, Cohen B, Mankowski K, Guarnaccia J, Schaeffer L, Kanter R, Brandes D, Kaufman C, Duncan D, Marder E, Allen A, Harney J, Cooper J, Woo D, Stüve O, Racke M, Frohman EM. Factors that influence adherence with disease-modifying therapy in MS. J Neurol. 2009;256(4):568–76.
Barfod TS, Sørensen HT, Nielsen H, Rodkjaer L, Obel N. ‘Simply forgot’ is the most frequently stated reason for missed doses of HAART irrespective of degree of adherence. HIV Med. 2006;7(5):285–90.
Conflict of interest
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
M. Ashkenazi: Formerly, Senior Lecturer in Pediatric Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ashkenazi, M., Bidoosi, M. & Levin, L. Factors associated with reduced compliance of children to dental preventive measures. Odontology 100, 241–248 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-011-0034-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-011-0034-1