The phenomenon of interest is the research on oral health of low income children, 6 years and under. Some research articles highlighted relational changes in children’s oral health to the quality of their teeth (Malden, Thomson, Jokovic & Locker, 2008). Particularly, this relational change of teeth pertains to children aged 6 years and under (Malden, Thomson, Jokovic & Locker, 2008). Especially in young children, the infection of dental caries is principally avertible. As a result, the problem of dental caries becomes one of the most chronic diseases of early infantile (Gussy, Waters, Walsh & Kilpatrick, 2006). Research gaps exist in the body of literature about dental caries in low income and preschool-aged children (Gussy, Waters, Walsh & Kilpatrick, 2006). There are limited knowledge about how to effectively treat dental carriers on younger children. Children’s dental research showed how parents’ limited knowledge posed greater risk of increasing dental carriers for their children (Edelstein & Chinn, 2009). Dental health research indicated how the occurrence of tooth decay persisted at fluctuating phases, affecting 40% of all poor and low-income that are 11 years and younger (Edelstein & Chinn, 2009). Low-income children of 11 years and younger experience increasing dental diseases and infections. The children of ethnic minorities suffer the same stages of tooth decay.
Parents’ limited experiences on their children’s oral hygiene reveal dental concerns for their toddlers (Edelstein & Chinn, 2009). An impacted, county initiative was implemented, a joint investment with the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCFGKC) to assist, and expand the oral health of children 6 and under (REACH Health, n.d). The name of the initiative is Project Ready Smile (PRS). PRS was launched in December 2007, in five counties in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, and one additional county, Allen County, in southeastern Kansas. The project provides oral health screening, preventive care services (i.e. fluoride varnish), education, referral and dental office care, for those who need clinical services to young children (ages birth to 5 years) enrolled in selected, early childhood centers that serve low income, minority and under/uninsured families. The revealing research question of this study is, what are the attitudes and knowledgeof low-income parents, regarding water fluoridation and Project Ready Smile (PRS), for oral health of children 6 and under, living in the urban community of Grandview, Missouri?
The conceptual model guiding the research study is the Fisher-Owens Conceptual Model (FOCM) of social determinants of oral health (Bramlett, et al., 2010). This conceptual model, in addition to the body of literature point to research gaps in the study. The research keywords and phrases that formed the research questions include, management on children’s oral health; early dental issues; children’s dental clinical appointments; parent’s cultural attitudes on oral health; water fluoridations and child’s oral health; and perceived barriers to toddler’s oral health. The interview questions were designed to elicit discussion among parents about experiences they perceived to guide children’s oral health behaviors.
Possible topics on interview guide include:
- Guidance on children’s oral health, and
- Children’s attitudes toward their dental hygiene.
- Parents’ attitudes toward dental health, dental clinical appointments, cures and follow ups.
- Prior experiences and knowledge about children’s oral health and dental fluoridation.
- Possible exposure to Project Ready Smile Initiatives.
- Parents’ social and cultural beliefs regarding oral hygiene.
The possible Qualitative Research Interview Questions that relate to the research topic include:-
- What do you know about oral health of children, under the age of 6?
- What have you learned about your past and present oral health?
- Could you elaborate on any external influences to your child’s oral hygiene?
- Tell me how to protect a child from tooth decay.
- Tell me more about your experiences with brushing your child’s teeth.
- Could you describe anything that makes cleaning your child’s teeth easier or harder?
- Can you explain your encounters of dental carriers on your children?
- What are the experiences of your children’s dental appointment?
- What are the experiences of your children’s dental follow-ups?
- Could you describe resources pertaining to your exposure of Project Ready Smile Initiatives?
- Describe your understanding of water fluoridations?
- What are the most important things you are doing to improve oral hygiene of your child?
- Could you describe the last time you were in the hospital for oral health assessment?
- What are your experiences of oral health issues in your household?
- What are the most difficult parts of managing your child’s teeth?
- Can you tell me about local or county initiatives to preserve or sanitize tap water from oral diseases?
- Describe your understanding of religious belief about oral hygiene of children?
- Can you tell me more about the impact of Project Ready Smile Initiatives in your household or on your child?
- Could you describe your child’s reaction to brushing teeth?
- Is there anything you will like to mention?
References:
Bramlett, M. D., Soobader, M. J., Fisher‐Owens, S. A., Weintraub, J. A., Gansky, S. A., Platt, L. J., & Newacheck, P. W. (2010). Assessing a multilevel model of young children’s oral health with national survey data. Community dentistry and oral epidemiology, 38(4), 287-298.
Edelstein, B. L., & Chinn, C. H. (2009). Update on disparities in oral health and access to dental care for America’s children. Academic pediatrics, 9(6), 415-419.
Gussy, M. G., Waters, E. G., Walsh, O., & Kilpatrick, N. M. (2006). Early childhood caries: current evidence for aetiology and prevention. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 42(1‐2), 37-43.
Malden, P. E., Thomson, W. M., Jokovic, A., & Locker, D. (2008). Changes in parent‐assessed oral health‐related quality of life among young children following dental treatment under general anesthetic. Community dentistry and oral epidemiology, 36(2), 108-117.
REACH Health. (n.d.). PROJECT READY SMILE. Retrieved from https://reachhealth.org/goals/other-initiatives/project-ready-smile/
