Tap into Good Teeth--a Western Australian pilot study of children's drinking patterns

ISSUED ADDRESSED: The increase trend in the prevalence of dental caries in Australian children is a concern to public health professionals. Attitudes, behaviours and lifestyle patterns established in childhood are often carried throughout adult life. The objective of the study was to estimate the proportion of Perth metropolitan year two public primary school children drinking tap water at home, school and play. It also aimed to explore knowledge and attitudes that children and parents have towards drinking tap water, bottled water, fruit juices and soft drinks.

Nine Western Australian government primary schools were recruited. A facilitator-led questionnaire was administered to year two primary school students and a matched parent self-administered questionnaire was also completed.

Forty-two per cent of the children in our study reported if thirsty they drank tap (fluoridated) water at home whereas parents stated 60% of children drank tap water at home. The type of drink appeared to vary with time of day/activity while overall water was most frequently drunk; a higher proportion of milk was drunk at breakfast, whereas soft drinks were drunk in a greater proportion while watching television.

This study found the vast majority of year two children in metropolitan Perth public primary schools are drinking tap water.