Measuring Determinants of Oral Health Behaviors in Parents of Low-Income Preschool Children

Measuring Determinants of Oral Health Behaviors in Parents of Low-Income Preschool Children by Josefine Ortiz Wolfe MA, Walden University, 2008 BS, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University May 2017 Abstract Dental decay is a preventable disease, but it remains the most unmet healthcare need of American children. Untreated dental decay has adverse and long-lasting effects on a child’s quality of life. Healthy oral habits among preschool children are essential for a healthy permanent dentition and are achieved primarily by 3 oral health–related behaviors: proper dental hygiene, a healthy noncariogenic diet, and regular dental visits.Dental decay is a preventable disease, but it remains the most unmet healthcare need of American children. Untreated dental decay has adverse and long-lasting effects on a child’s quality of life. Healthy oral habits among preschool children are essential for a healthy permanent dentition and are achieved primarily by 3 oral health–related behaviors: proper dental hygiene, a healthy noncariogenic diet, and regular dental visits. This quantitative study, based on the theory of planned behavior, explored the relationship between these 3 oral health behaviors and 4 determinants: attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention, using a 71-item questionnaire. The study utilized convenience sampling. A total of 436 parents or caregivers of children enrolled in the North East Independent School District Early Childhood Education program participated in this study; 81.5% were low-income, and 66% reported Hispanic identity. The relationship between variables was evaluated using multiple regression analysis. This study indicated that attitude alone toward a healthy diet and dental hygiene was not a significant predictor of behavior, but the attitude toward dental attendance was significant. Subjective norm, perceived behavior control, and intentions individually and combined were significant predictors of all 3 behaviors, except for subjective norm towards hygiene. Meaningful social change can be achieved by identifying and understanding the underlying motives that evoke planned and deliberate oral health behaviors among parents of preschool children. Targeted messages and cost-effective early interventions can be developed to prevent the onset of dental disease and improve the quality of life for low-income children. Measuring Determinants of Oral Health Behaviors in Parents of Low-Income Preschool Children by Josefine Ortiz Wolfe MA, Walden University, 2008 BS, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University May, 2017 Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Joseph Robare and Dr. Vasileios Margaritis for serving on my dissertation committee and for the continued guidance and support through this process. I would also like to acknowledge my children, Ryan and Maci, who have made many sacrifices in their lives so that I could pursue my education. Thank you for being my inspiration and for your unconditional love. I would also like to thank the American Public Health’s Oral Health Section for its continued support and encouragement. Thank you for always pushing me to do more and to raise my standards to be the best public health professional I could be. Dedication I would like to dedicate this research to all the public health and oral health professional who have tirelessly dedicated their lives to preventing and reducing the burden of oral disease in all populations.