Exploring attitudes of parents and teachers towards promoting oral health in children

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of teachers and parents of infant school children in primary schools serving affluent and deprived populations of oral health promotion services in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. A focus group of parents, a face-to-face interview with one parent and individual face-to-face interviews with headteachers and one reception teacher from each school were conducted. A 12-item interview schedule was devised in which face and content validity was established. A thematic analysis was undertaken and seven themes emerged from the analysis of the data: responsibility; the dentist; the role of the health visitor and school nurse; school policy; oral health education; positive role-modelling; and the Welsh government initiative, Designed to Smile. Confused messages were reported by both teachers and parents, suggesting that different approaches are needed in the delivery of oral health promotion. Health visitors and school nurses are best placed to take the lead in preschool, s...