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Midwives' knowledge and preventive practices regarding early childhood caries: a quantitative study in France
Eve Ripamonti1,2, Isabelle Blanchet3,4,5, Corinne Tardieu3,4,5
1Aix Marseille Université, Faculté de Sciences médicales et paramédicales, Ecole de Médecine Dentaire, Marseille, France, Aix-Marseille University, France. eve.ripamonti@univ-amu.fr.
Summary
Midwives in France show basic oral hygiene knowledge but lack understanding of early childhood caries prevention, including fluoride use and breastfeeding risks. Enhanced training is needed for better oral health promotion.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Midwifery
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant global public health concern.
- Midwives are crucial in providing primary healthcare and oral health guidance to young children and families.
- Effective prevention strategies for ECC are essential to reduce disease burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the knowledge of French midwives concerning early childhood caries.
- To assess their understanding of ECC prevention methods and dietary risk factors.
- To identify potential gaps in current midwifery education regarding pediatric oral health.
Main Methods:
- A national online survey was administered to midwives across France.
- The questionnaire focused on knowledge of oral health recommendations for children.
- Key areas included timing of first dental visits, fluoride application, and dietary influences.
Main Results:
- Midwives possessed general knowledge of oral hygiene but showed deficits in understanding the optimal timing for the first dental examination and appropriate fluoride use.
- A notable proportion of midwives did not identify breastfeeding, particularly nocturnal breastfeeding, as a risk factor for caries.
- Generational differences were observed in the application of oral health preventive measures during consultations.
Conclusions:
- The study underscores a need for enhanced oral health education within midwifery curricula in France.
- Integrating comprehensive oral health training is vital for midwives to effectively prevent early childhood caries.
- Strengthening midwives' expertise will improve early intervention and promote lifelong oral wellness.
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