Evaluation of the Effect of Maternal Education on Toddler Dental Plaque Removal Based on a Health Belief Model

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of an educational intervention, guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), on promoting preventive behaviors among mothers to combat early childhood caries (ECC) in toddlers aged 12 to 18 months. Materials and Methods: This single-blind interventional study evaluated 92 toddlers between 12 to 18 months and their mothers, who were selected by stratified random sampling. Data regarding demographic and nutritional factors were collected using a questionnaire. The dental status of children was evaluated by clinical examination and measuring the plaque index (PI) of maxillary central incisors and the dmfs index. A pamphlet designed according to the HBM was used for oral hygiene instruction in both the intervention and control groups. All of the mothers in the intervention group received a music file to listen to when brushing their children’s teeth. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxson tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: No significant correlation was noted between the daily frequency of sugary substance intake and primary PI in the intervention or control group with/without dental plaque (P>0.05). In the intervention group, PI significantly decreased after the intervention compared to baseline (P<0.001). However, there was no significant change in PI after the intervention in the control group compared with baseline (P=0.1). Conclusion: The findings indicate that a combination of educational intervention and incentives, such as using age-appropriate music for toddlers, can significantly enhance mothers' effectiveness in removing dental plaque.