Community Dental Health

cover art

Cover Date:
June 2018
Print ISSN:
0265 539X
Electronic ISSN:
2515-1746
Vol:
35
Issue:
2

Challenges associated with implementation of a school-based tooth-brushing and fluoride varnish programme in a diverse and transient urban population

doi:10.1922/CDH_4101Burgess-Allen04

Public health competencies being illustrated; Planning, delivery and evaluation of health improvement programmes, addressing health inequalities, awareness of cultural impacts on health and wellbeing. Smile4Life, a schools-based, evidence informed oral health promotion programme was designed to address high levels of oral health need and inequality within a UK City.  The aims of the pilot were to test the feasibility of delivering the programme (supervised toothbrushing, take home kits, educational resources and application of fluoride varnish) in six culturally diverse schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and evaluate its impact on caries prevalence.  High levels of participation were achieved (98% positive consent), however, only 44% received more than one application of fluoride varnish.   A reduction in decay prevalence and improved oral hygiene were observed. This paper examines the challenges faced in working with transient and culturally diverse population groups, working effectively with schools to deliver an effective intervention for this population, and in responding effectively across agencies to address safeguarding concerns.

Key words: Fluoride Varnish, Tooth-brushing, Inequalities

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
71
Page End
74
Authors
Jilla Burgess-Allen, Madeleine Braithwaite, Sandra Whiston

Articles from this issue

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  1. The Brussels statement on the future needs for caries epidemiology and surveillance in Europe
  2. 66
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  1. Readying community water fluoridation advocates through training, surveillance, and empowerment
  2. 67
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  1. Challenges associated with implementation of a school-based tooth-brushing and fluoride varnish programme in a diverse and transient urban population
  2. 71
  3. 74

  1. Social gradient in intermediary determinants of oral health at school level in Finland
  2. 75
  3. 80

  1. Community-based nutrition intervention to promote oral health and restore healthy body weight in refugee children: A scoping review
  2. 81
  3. 88

  1. Child, caregiver, and family factors associated with child dental utilization among Mexican migrant families in California
  2. 89
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  1. Factors associated with Brazilian adolescents’ satisfaction with oral health
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  1. Chronic Intra Oral Pain and Depressive Symptoms in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Longitudinal Study
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  1. Use and misuse of mixed methods in population oral health research: A scoping review
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  1. Adaptation and validation of a Nepali version of the Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances Index (C-OIDP)
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  3. 126