Adolescents' experiences of participating in a school-based fluoride varnish programme in Sweden

Population-based health promotion with school-based fluoride varnish programmes is becoming more frequent, as these programmes have been implemented in many parts of Sweden during the last five years. The caries-prevention effect is well studied, but as yet there is no study aimed at adolescents'experiences of these programmes. The aim of this study was therefore to describe how a school-based fluoride varnish programme is experienced by participating adolescents. The study was performed as a qualitative study by conducting four focus-groups interviews. In all, 26 adolescents participated, all aged 15. All the participants had several years'experiences of a fluoride varnish programme at school. The participants were asked to describe their experience of participating in the programme.The analysis of the data from the interviews was carried out according to the principles of phenomenography.The three themes that emerged were"Conceptions in relation to the individual", "Conceptions in relation to the school dental nurse"and "Conceptions in relation to the group and school". The result showed that the adolescents experienced that it was positive to take part in a fluoride varnish programme at school and they regarded the school as an important health promotion arena. In spite of this, there were perceptions that were worth reflecting on for school dental nurses, such as feelings of exposure, peer pressure and a perceived lack of information. To further improve these programmes, and thereby increase population-based dental health promotion, it is important to highlight the role of dental personnel, as they are largely responsible for creating the atmosphere.