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Research ArticleResearch

Caregivers’ Comprehension of the Terms Decay and Cavities: A qualitative analysis

Denise M. Claiborne, Deanne Shuman, Melissa Sullivan and Julia Richman
American Dental Hygienists' Association December 2021, 95 (6) 6-12;
Denise M. Claiborne
Assistant professor and the Graduate Program Director, Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene;
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  • For correspondence: dclaibor@odu.edu
Deanne Shuman
Professor emerita, Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene;
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Melissa Sullivan
Doctoral student in the Health Services Research Program; all in the College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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Julia Richman
Private practice in Covington, WA and is an affiliate assistant professor in the School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Abstract

Purpose: Tooth decay and cavities are the most common oral health consequences for young children that may result from inadequate oral health literacy (OHL) or understanding of their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to describe the understanding of terms related to decay and cavities among caregivers of preschool-aged children.

Methods: English-speaking caregivers with children aged <6 years were recruited from two private dental practices located in Washington State. A qualitative analysis was performed using responses regarding the terms decay and cavities as part of the 36 item Oral Health Literacy Inventory for Parents (OH-LIP). Responses were recorded, transcribed, coded, and assigned to domains and categories.

Results: Responses from 111 participants were included in the analysis. About one fifth of the participants (19.8%, n=22) indicated that they did not know what decay was or provided an incorrect response. The majority (71.2%, n=79) made the association that decay was something bad that happens to the teeth. However only a minority of the participants (9%, n=10) correctly identified decay as destruction of the tooth surface because of bacterial action. When asked to define the word cavities, more than half (68.5%) indicated that cavities were something harmful to teeth, while only about one quarter (27%, n=30) correctly identified cavities as resulting from the decay process.

Conclusion: Knowledge disparities related to the terms decay and cavities among caregivers suggest that more education is needed regarding the tooth decay process and factors causing dental caries to ensure timely preventive services are received. Gaps in oral health literacy should be addressed by health care professionals. Dental hygienists are in an ideal position to educate caregivers as well as non-dental health care professionals who provide services to caregivers and children.

  • dental caries
  • tooth decay
  • health literacy
  • oral health literacy
  • pediatric oral care
  • qualitative analysis
  • behavioral research
  • Received November 18, 2020.
  • Accepted April 6, 2021.
  • Copyright © 2021 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association

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American Dental Hygienists' Association: 95 (6)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 95, Issue 6
December 2021
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Caregivers’ Comprehension of the Terms Decay and Cavities: A qualitative analysis
Denise M. Claiborne, Deanne Shuman, Melissa Sullivan, Julia Richman
American Dental Hygienists' Association Dec 2021, 95 (6) 6-12;

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Caregivers’ Comprehension of the Terms Decay and Cavities: A qualitative analysis
Denise M. Claiborne, Deanne Shuman, Melissa Sullivan, Julia Richman
American Dental Hygienists' Association Dec 2021, 95 (6) 6-12;
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Keywords

  • dental caries
  • tooth decay
  • health literacy
  • oral health literacy
  • pediatric oral care
  • qualitative analysis
  • behavioral research

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