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Table 3 Self-Reported and Observed Child Brushing Behaviors

From: What really happens in the home: a comparison of parent-reported and observed tooth brushing behaviors for young children

 

Parent REPORTED

N = 45 (%)

OBSERVED

N = 45 (%)

OBSERVED

Pediatric Dental Clinic Families

N = 25 (%)

Medical Clinic and WIC Families

N = 20 (%)

Parent or adult helps child brush teeth1

 

44 (100.0)

25 (100.0)

19 (100.0)

 Yes, sometimes

7 (16.3)

   

 Yes, most of the time

5 (11.6)

   

 Yes, always

31 (72.0)

   

How long are child’s teeth brushed for2

 Does/did not brush

2 (4.4)

3 (7.0)

0 (0.0)

3 (15.0)

 30 s or less

7 (15.6)

6 (14.0)

3 (13.0)

3 (15.0)

  > 30 s to 1 min

8 (17.8)

15 (34.9)

7 (30.4)

8 (40.0)

  > 1 min to 2 min

18 (40.0)

18 (41.9)

12 (52.2)

6 (30.0)

  > 2 min

10 (22.2)

1 (2.3)

1 (4.3)

0 (0.0)

Child uses toothpaste

41 (91.1)

41 (91.1)

24 (96.0)

17 (85.0)

Does toothpaste have fluoride? 3

 Yes

16 (39.0)

30 (71.4)

21 (84.0)

9 (52.9)

 No

10 (24.4)

12 (28.6)

4 (16.0)

8 (47.1)

 Don’t know

15 (36.6)

   

How much toothpaste does child use? 4

 Full load

0 (0.0)

1 (2.4)

0 (0.0)

1 (5.9)

 Half load

2 (4.9)

2 (4.8)

2 (8.3)

0 (0.0)

 Pea

11 (26.8)

8 (19.5)

4 (16.7)

4 (23.5)

 Smear

28 (68.3)

25 (61.0)

15 (62.5)

10 (58.8)

  1. 1: N = 43 in Parent Reported; N = 44 in Observed; N = 19 in Medical Clinic Observed
  2. 2: N = 43 in Observed; N = 23 in Dental Clinic Observed
  3. 3: N = 41 in Parent Reported; N = 42 in Observed; N = 17 in Medical Clinic Observed. Note that one parent reported the child did not use toothpaste but then used toothpaste when brushing
  4. 4: N = 41 in Parent Reported; N = 41 in Observed; N = 24 in Dental Clinic Observed; N = 17 in Medical Clinic Observed. Note that one parent reported the child did not use toothpaste but then used toothpaste when brushing. Another child began brushing before the quantity of toothpaste could be observed