Mother's Satisfaction with Receiving Education on Toddlers Oral Health by Non-Dental Staff of Public Health Centers

The aim of this trial was to evaluate mothers’ satisfaction from pamphlet and phone call as Educational Media in improving 12- to 15-months-old oral health. It also investigates whether the outcome of this educational intervention varies, based on economic level. The participants were mothers of children (12-15 months- old) at baseline attending the vaccination offices of 12 randomly selected public health centers in Tehran. Health centers were randomly assigned into 2 groups: Pamphlet & phone call, Pamphlet only. Educational intervention comprising oral health instruction was integrated into health staff duty. Economic level of the child’s city area served as the economic indicator. Interviews were performed by a person blind to the intervention groups. The follow up period was 6 months. Outcome was defined as mothers’ evaluation from the program and their perceived behavioral change. The vast majority of mothers were satisfied with the pamphlet in both intervention groups, with no difference in their satisfaction according to SES backgrounds. Regarding self-perceived change in their oral health behaviors, 64% of mothers considered this to be very much or much, 20% moderate, 12% little and 4% had no opinion. Compared to group who received only pamphlet, those in group of pamphlet and phone call had reported more influence on their oral health behaviors (p = 0.05) Oral health education with pamphlet and reminder phone calls provided to mothers by general health staff is a valuable tool for improvement of oral health desirable diet amongst infants and toddlers in countries with developing oral health systems.