“Parent and Child Education and Motivation” PREVENTION VII “Parent and Child Education and Motivation”

Dentists Are Teachers... As teachers, dentists have a responsibility to ensure that their patients have information necessary to enable them to gain and maintain oral health. However, the dentist’s role goes beyond merely providing information. S/he must persuade patients to adopt appropriate behaviors that will lead to oral health, that is, to appropriate the knowledge they have. Dentists are educators, motivators and persuaders.

The Prevention Discussion In our clinical protocol, and one that is reasonable for all practitioners to follow, time is set aside at the second, that is, Consultation Appointment, to discuss preventive dentistry with the child and parent. This is accomplished after the case consultation with the parent. In actual practice, the prevention discussion with the child can/should be occurring by the hygienist or prevention assistant while the case consultation with the parent by the dentist is occurring.

The Prevention Discussion The child and parent should understand, at their level of comprehension, the etiology of dental caries and periodontal disease. They should also be aware of the various measures which are available and can be directed at each of the etiologic factors in order to prevent the disease.

The Prevention Discussion You can use a sheet of paper and sketch the mechanism of the disease process; or employ a picture already prepared: Refined Carbohydrates + Bacteria = Plaque = Acid Acid + Tooth = Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) Refined Carbohydrates + Bacteria = Plaque (Irritant) Irritant + Gums = Periodontal Disease

The Prevention Discussion It is helpful to demonstrate the existence of the major etiologic factor, plaque, in the child’s mouth. Removing plaque with an explorer and showing it to the child/parent and explaining that the mass represents colonies of bacteria growing on the teeth is motivational. Disclosing the teeth and demonstrating the extent of the existence of the plaque in the mouth should also be accomplished.

The Prevention Discussion The continuing discussion should include ways to intervene in the interaction of the etiologic variables and “break the chain” of dental disease. Bacteria (Plaque): flossing brushing Teeth: communal Water Fluoridation supplemental Dietary Fluorides fluoride dentifrices professionally applied topical fluoride dental Sealants Fermentable Carbohydrates: significant reduction in consumption eaten with meals as desserts elimination as snacks substitution of non-cariogenic snacks

The Prevention Discussion In addition to the dentist, or auxiliaries, explaining the etiology and prevention of dental disease, the effective prevention discussion will also employ and be supplemented by a variety of educational/motivational resources: videos informational brochures demonstration models, and motivational materials, such as activity and coloring books.

Educational/Motivational Resources Available from the American Dental Association Toll Free: 1.800.947.4746 Fax (24 hours): 1.888.476.1880 Address: ADA Box 776 St. Charles, IL 60174-0776

ADA’s Dudley the Dinosaur Cartoon Character Dudley the Dinosaur, and his little sis Dee Dee, are the ADA’s star cartoon characters with dental health messages for children. The ADA has several videos and educational pamphlets and motivational aids featuring on Dudley and Dee.

“DUDLEY VISITS THE DENTIST” This seven minute video takes Dudley, a young dinosaur, through his dental appointment. He visits Dr. Benchley, a dinosaur dentist. Dudley has his teeth cleaned and receives a fluoride treatment. Young viewers will discover why the dentist and dental team wear masks and gloves, the names and uses of some basic dental equipment and why healthy teeth are important.

“BRUSHING MAGIC” This five minute video finds Dudley the Dinosaur and his friend, Sam the Sabre Tooth Tiger, performing magic tricks for Dudley’s little sister DeeDee. Dudley uses magic tricks to teach Dee Dee about the importance of brushing and flossing.

“DUDLEY AND DEE IN NURTITION LAND” This six minute video finds Dudley the Dinosaur and his friends taking a magical trip through Nutrition Land on the Nutrition Express with their dentist, Dr. Myasaurus. The five food groups are displayed on the food pyramid Emphasis on sound eating habits to avoid tooth decay.

DUDLEY THE DINOSAUR These Dudley videos each come with a teaching guide which can be employed to develop and present a 30-60 minute classroom presentation. Frequently dentists are asked to do such, particularly during National Children’s Dental Health Month, celebrated February of each year. You will use these videos in clinic during the Diagnosis and Consultation Appointments. These three Dudley videos, with teaching guides are available from the ADA for $59/each.

DUDLEY THE DINOSAUR The ADA also has available other Dudley the Dinosaur resources: Brushing With Dudley and Dee Coloring Book. Dudley and Friends Activity Book Dudley and DeeDee in Nutrition Land Coloring Book Dudley Visits the Dentist Coloring and Story Book Dudley’s Healthy Teeth Certificate. Dudley and Dee Dee Muppets

DUDLEY THE (SPANISH) DINOSAUR Dudley Visits the Dentist video and teaching guide is also available in Spanish, as are the two brochures shown here.

DENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITY BOOK We use this ADA Dental Health Activity Book in the Clinic. It is given to each child at their first dental visit.

“YOUR CHILD’S TEETH” This ADA publication is a valuable resource for parents. We employ it in the clinic and provide it to all parents at the child’s initial, or Diagnostic Appointment.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL BROCHURES IN OUR CLINIC

VIDEOS AVAILABLE IN THE CLINIC For Children: Dudley Visits the Dentist Dudley Visit the Dentist (Spanish) Brushing with Dudley and DeeDee Dudley and Dee Dee in Nutrition Land It’s Dental Flossophy Charlie Brown (older) Merlin’s Magic Message (older) The Barnyard Snacker (older)

VIDEOS AVAILABLE IN THE CLINIC For Parents: Prevention Patient Education (Ages 1-5) Prevention Patient Education (Ages 6-18 Baby Bottle Decay Orthodontics

Secret Birthday Surprise The Adventures of Timmy the Tooth* (videos available from Practicon Practice Services) Secret Birthday Surprise Lost My Brush Molar Island Timmy in Space A Spooky Tooth Brush in the Stone Rainy Day Adventure An Eye for a Tooth Malibu Timmy Big Mouth Gulch ____________________________ *Set of ten videos sells for $109.50/set

Two Additional Videos Sold By Practicon Arthur’s Tooth ($12.95) and Franklin and the Tooth Fairy ($12.95)

Children’s Dental Health Library Children’s Dental Health Library* (Books available from Practicon Practice Services) Barney Visits The Dentist The Tooth Book My tooth Is About To Fall Out Going To The Dentist Martin and the Tooth Fairy Alley Alligator’s Awesome Smile Doctor DeSoto Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth Berenstain Bears Visit The Dentist ___________________________ * This series is sold as Library A and sell for $39.25/set

“BARNEY VISITS THE DENTIST”

Children’s Dental Health Library Children’s Dental Health Library* (Books available from Practicon Practice Services) The Story of the Tooth Fairy My Little Friend Goes To The Dentist The Lost Tooth Club Arthur Tricks the Tooth Fairy Brush Your Teeth Please Just Going To The Dentist Franklin and The Tooth Fairy Clark The Toothless Shark What Do Fairies Do With All Those Teeth? _________________________ * This series is sold as Library B and sells for $84.95/set

Kid-Size Book Rack for Library ($125.)

Practicon Practice Services 1112 Sugg Parkway Greenville, North Carolina 27834 Toll Free: 1.800.959.9595 24 Hour Fax: 1.800.278.0885

THE CHAIRSIDE INSTRUCTOR

DEMONSTRATION MODELS

Six Steps To Behavioral Change Education is “behavioral change.” If behaviors do not change, it can be said that education did not occur. Identifying the Nature of the Problem: Does the child/parent have the necessary knowledge they need to effectively manage their oral health. Is the child too young to understand issues in etiology and prevention of oral disease; or too young to effectively comply with the required regimen. Does the child or parent lack the motivation required?

Six Steps To Behavioral Change Determine the Baseline: Know where to start Learn what the child/parent knows or does not know about preventive dentistry. Assess what the child/parent is currently doing or not doing, and how well they are doing it. For example, the OHI-S serves as a baseline for discussing oral hygiene with a child and parent.

Six Steps To Behavioral Change Set Realistic Goals: What can be expected of the child and parent with regard to oral physiotherapy or dietary change. Can intermediate objectives be set that will help reach ultimate goals? Achieving an OHI-S score of 90% is a tangible and reasonable goal.

Six Steps To Behavioral Change Plan and Implement An Intervention Method: Help the child and parent decide what they will do to change their behavior into patterns that will be more effective in achieving oral health. Determine with them the step by step procedures they will follow.

Six Steps To Behavioral Change Review Progress and Modify Plan as Necessary: Review progress on plan at each appointment. Ask about changes that are occurring, if any. Identify continuing impediments to change. Conduct OHI-S at each appointment and use to determine progress.

Six Steps To Behavioral Change Plan for Self-Maintenance and Follow-Up: At the appointment at which you complete your treatment, or at a Post-Treatment Appointment, review the plan you have agreed on, and review progress to date. Identify a recall appointment time, and indicate an evaluation of progress will be made at that time.