Understanding parental perspectives on young children’s oral health (≤ 4 years) growing up in a disadvantaged neighbourhood of Amsterdam, the Netherlands: an exploratory study

Awani Balasooriyan*, Monique H. van der Veen, Clarissa Calil Bonifácio, Christine Dedding

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Families’ understanding towards oral health problems among young children is poorly studied. More insight into parents’ experiences, especially of those living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, is needed to address persistent oral health inequalities. This qualitative study aims to explore parental perspectives on children’s oral health (≤ 4 years) and the opportunities they see to improve children’s oral health. Methods: Forty-seven mothers and five fathers with different migration backgrounds from a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, participated in our study. Semi-structured interviews (n = 27), participant observations (n = 7) and one focus group discussion were conducted. A thematic data analysis was used. Results: Parents describe their daily life with young children as busy, hectic and unpredictable. Parents seem to be most concerned about parenting. Mothers, in particular, feel fully responsible for raising their children and managing daily complexities. While most parents value their children’s oral health, they all experience challenges. Parents find it hard to limit daily candy intake and to handle unwilling children during tooth brushing. They feel limited support for these issues from their household, social network and professionals. Conclusion: Parental struggles in children’s oral health are complex and interrelated as they occur across family, societal, community and professional levels. Given the complex daily reality of families with young children, establishing and maintaining healthy oral health habits seems not at the top of parents’ minds. They ask for advice in the upbringing of their children backed up by social support, increased attention to children’s oral health within the community and professional assistance. Collaborating with parents as knowledgeable partners might be the first step in acting upon the endeavour to address oral health inequality among young children.

Original languageEnglish
Article number627
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalBMC Public Health
Volume24
Early online date27 Feb 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.

Funding

We would like to thank The Borrow Foundation and Eklund Foundation for financially supporting this study. We are also grateful to the local professionals who helped build rapport with families living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In addition, we appreciate the parents’ input for helping us to have a better understand their perspectives on young children’s oral health.

FundersFunder number
Eklund Foundation
Borrow Foundation

    Keywords

    • Child oral health
    • Children
    • Family life
    • Oral health inequality
    • Parents
    • Vulnerable circumstances

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