Abstract
The use of fluoride toothpaste was surveyed by questionnaire in 213 nursery school children aged from 9 months to 6 years in Tobetsu-chou. The purpose of the study was to promote the use of fluoride toothpaste for infants. The survey was carried out from November to December, 2005 using a questionnaire prepared by the Committee for the Promotion of Fluoride Use of the Japanese Society for Dental Health, and the results were as follows: 1. The rate of fluoride toothpaste usage in all children was 72.2%. Significant differences in usage were observed with age (p<0.001). These results indicate that the rate of fluoride toothpaste usage was 20 points lower than the "Kenkou Nippon 21" target figure (more than 90%) proposed by the Ministry of Welfare and Health in 2000. 2. Eighty % of the subjects used a toothpaste amount 1/3 of the toothbrush head size. Also, 74.1% of the subjects rinsed their mouth more than 3 times following toothbrushing. Recommendations need to be made on how to use fluoride toothpaste, the appropriate amount to use, the frequency of use, and the frequency of mouth rinsing following toothbrushing. 3. Over 50% of fluoride toothpaste users selected it for its fluoride content. 4. Reasons given by parents for not using toothpaste were anxiety about the ingredients and concerns about its effectiveness for small children. We conclude that accurate and adequate information targeted to parents is necessary to promote the appropriate use of fluoride toothpaste for the prevention of dental caries in children.
