What is the role of early years childcare staff in promoting and discussing children's oral health behaviours? An investigation of parent’s views

Baackground: The primary reason children in the UK are referred to hospitals for general anaesthetic is to have their teeth removed due to tooth decay. Tooth decay is a non-communicable disease which can be prevented through healthy behaviours such as brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, reducing the frequency of sugar consumption throughout the day and regular dental check-ups. Recently, oral health became a mandatory component of the England Early Years Settings' (EYS) framework. Successful implementation of this public health strategy necessitates involvement from parents and carers, however their views currently remain unexplored. Therefore, we aim to investigate parents' views about the role of EYS and childcare providers in promoting and discussing children’s oral health behaviours. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in English and Arabic with 14 parents (11 mothers, 3 fathers) with at least one child under five years enrolled in any EYS (nurseries, preschools, Sure Start centres) in England. Participants were recruited through EYS settings and using online social media. Data were analysed using an inductive and latent thematic analysis. Results: The analysis was organized into three overarching themes: 1) Parental knowledge limited by indirect communication with staff, 2) EYS suitable to support oral health but .... and 3) EYS as a partner to support children’s oral health Conclusion Parents have limited awareness of oral health activities in EYS. They acknowledge that EYS staff can influence children's oral health behaviours, yet also report communication barriers with EYS staff. Early years communication is primarily uni-directional, which shapes parents' views about EYS staff's responsibility and credibility to support their children’s oral health. To overcome these barriers, staff need training and support to effectively engage parents.