Toddlers Wanted For Tooth Brushing Survey

RESEARCHERS at the University of Salford are contributing to a global World Health Organisation (WHO) project by examining how parents brush the teeth of babies and toddlers aged between one and two years of age.

The work is part of the larger Salford Bright Smiles initiative currently being undertaken through collaboration between the University of Salford, NHS Salford and Sure Start Children’s Centres.

The University is looking for local families from Greater Manchester to take part in the study. There's an online questionnaire about toddler tooth-brushing routines which parents with a child around the age of two years should complete.

Researcher Sarah Elison from the College of Health and Social Care said: “This research is important as we know from interviews and a video diary study we have conducted with Greater Manchester families that sometimes establishing tooth-brushing routines with toddlers can be quite difficult due to toddler tantrums. We think that this may contribute in part to the high rates of early childhood dental decay found in many areas of the UK.”

“So we're hoping to use the data from the questionnaire to develop new ways to support families as the establish tooth-brushing routines with their toddlers”.

Help would be very much appreciated. If you are interested in getting involved in this important research click here and fill in the brief questionnaire. Participants should complete the survey by Saturday 3 September.