Comparison of Children's Tooth Brushing Habits: Observed vs. Reported by Mothers
Author Information
Author(s): Martins Carolina C, Oliveira Maria J, Pordeus Isabela A, Paiva Saul M
Primary Institution: Federal University of Minas Gerais
Hypothesis
How do observed tooth brushing habits of children compare to those reported by their mothers?
Conclusion
There is low agreement between observed tooth brushing habits and those reported by mothers, indicating potential reporting bias.
Supporting Evidence
- Cohen's Kappa values ranged from poor-to-good (0.00-0.75).
- Statistically significant differences were found between observed and reported tooth brushing habits (p < 0.001).
- Observed frequencies of certain brushing habits were higher than those reported by mothers.
Takeaway
Moms might think their kids brush their teeth a certain way, but when we watch, it often looks different.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study where mothers reported their children's tooth brushing habits, which were then compared to direct observations by an examiner.
Potential Biases
Mothers may have reported more favorable habits than actually observed, leading to potential reporting bias.
Limitations
Only a single observation session was conducted, which may not capture variability in tooth brushing habits.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 24-48 months, with 44.3% male and 55.7% female, from public and private day-care centers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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