TY  - SER
AU  - Roguski, Michael
AU  - McBride-Henry, Karen
TI  - Insights into the oral health crisis amongst pre-schoolers in Aotearoa/New Zealand: a discourse analysis of parent/caregiver experiences
PY  - 2020///
PB  - BMC
KW  - CAREGIVERS
KW  - CHILDREN
KW  - EARLY CHILDHOOD
KW  - HEALTH
KW  - INTERVENTION
KW  - ORAL HEALTH
KW  - PARENTS
KW  - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
KW  - NEW ZEALAND
N1  - BMC Oral Health, 2020, 20: 182
N2  - Background:
The oral health of pre-schoolers is garnering international as a crisis as good oral health is a key precursor to positive health outcomes. Internationally, and within Aotearoa/New Zealand, responses been restricted to those based in a medical model and the commercialisation of oral health. Absent from existing commentary are the lived realities of parents/caregivers beliefs, attitudes and responsiveness, or lack of, to the oral health of pre-schoolers.

Methods:
The researcher undertook a discursive analysis of parents/caregivers narratives to understand the barriers to engaging in effective protective behaviours. The 15 focus groups were conducted in urban and rural locations across Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Results:
A discursive analysis revealed several pervasive discourses, including ‘second chance’ and ‘enjoyment’ discourses, and systems-related deficits that act as barriers to engaging in good oral healthcare practices.

Conclusions:
The analysis demonstrates the benefit of placing the lived experiences of parents/caregivers as central to the development of oral health interventions. There is a need to link oral health data with primary care data and to distribute accurate oral health information to support parents’/caregivers’ decision making. This research reveals several pervasive discourses and systems-related deficits that provide a fertile ground for future public health responsiveness. (Authors' abstract). Record #8550
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-020-01173-9
ER  -