Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic condition among Australian preschoolers. However, there is a need to understand why ECC remains prevalent despite being largely preventable through proper caregiver knowledge and practices. To address this, researchers conducted a study involving 42 primary caregivers of children under five across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, using questionnaires and focus groups guided by the Fisher-Owens socioecological model.
The study found that caregivers, regardless of background, received inconsistent oral health messages, leading to widespread confusion about fluoride use, brushing routines, and sugar intake. Dental service use was generally low, hindered by factors such as cost, limited access, and lack of child-friendly options, especially among non-English-speaking caregivers and those in regional areas. These findings…
