Kettle, J. orcid.org/0000-0002-2776-1243 and Marshman, Z. orcid.org/0000-0003-0943-9637 (2024) Powered toothbrushes and toothbrushing resistance in young children: a qualitative content analysis of an online parenting forum. Community Dental Health, 41 (1). pp. 60-64. ISSN 0265-539X
Abstract
Background: Powered toothbrushes are an effective alternative to manual toothbrushes. Previous research found parents view powered toothbrushes as fun and motivating, although are less confident using them when children demonstrate resistant behaviour. Resistant child behaviour is a recognised barrier to achieving parental supervised brushing. Parents discuss strategies to address toothbrushing resistance on online parenting forums.
Objective: To explore how those posting on an online parenting forum discuss powered toothbrushes as a potential solution to toothbrushing resistance in young children.
Design: Qualitative content analysis of threads retrieved from the UK parenting forum Mumsnet.
Results: The Mumsnet sub-forums ‘Behaviour/Development’, ‘Parenting’ and ‘Children’s Health’ were searched in April 2022. 204 relevant threads on toothbrushing resistance were identified and analysed. A further search of these threads identified posts on powered toothbrushes, yielding a sub-sample of 245 posts from 111 threads (of which 97 focused on resistant behaviour from a child/children aged under three). A coding frame was developed and included six categories: use of powered toothbrushes, descriptions of toothbrushes, positive aspects, reasons for not using, approaches to using, and discussions on Mumsnet. Posters suggested powered toothbrushes as a solution to toothbrushing resistance. Posters use Mumsnet to discuss the appropriateness of powered toothbrushes for young children.
Conclusions: Powered toothbrushes offer a potential solution to toothbrushing resistance. Discussions on parenting forums can normalise the use of powered toothbrushes with under-threes. Further research on how parents and dental professionals use and recommend using powered toothbrushes with under-threes would be useful.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. Except as otherwise noted, this author-accepted version of a journal article published in CDH is made available via the University of Sheffield Research Publications and Copyright Policy under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
Keywords: | children; internet; oral health; parents; powered toothbrush; qualitative; Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Toothbrushing; Parenting; Dental Plaque; Parents; Child Behavior |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > School of Education The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Clinical Dentistry (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jan 2025 11:43 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jan 2025 15:43 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Dennis Barber Ltd |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1922/CDH_00180Kettle05 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:221790 |
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