Caregivers Who Refuse Preventive Care for Their Children: The Relationship Between Immunization and Topical Fluoride Refusal
Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine caregivers' refusal of preventive medical and dental care for children. METHODS: Prevalence rates of topical fluoride refusal based on dental records and caregiver self-reports were estimated for children treated in 3 dental clinics in Washington State. A 60-item survey was administered to 1024 caregivers to evaluate the association between immunization and topical fluoride refusal. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). RESULTS: The prevalence of topical fluoride refusal was 4.9% according to dental records and 12.7% according to caregiver self-reports. The rate of immunization refusal was 27.4%. In the regression models, immunization refusal was significantly associated with topical fluoride refusal (dental record PRR = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32, 1.96; P < .001; caregiver self-report PRR = 6.20; 95% CI = 3.21, 11.98; P < .001). Caregivers younger than 35 years were significantly more likely than older caregivers to refuse both immunizations and topical fluoride (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Caregiver refusal of immunizations is associated with topical fluoride refusal. Future research should identify the behavioral and social factors related to caregiver refusal of preventive care with the goal of developing multidisciplinary strategies to help caregivers make optimal preventive care decisions for children.
Author: Donald L. Chi
Institution: University of Washington
Language: English
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: U.S. Department of Agriculture, William T. Grant Foundation, University of Washington, Institute of Translational Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Awards: G3394546522, Institute of Translational Health Sciences, Institute for Translational Health Science (UL1), Diffusion of Anticipatory Guidance to Prevent ECC Disease Transmission: Secondary, Addressing Oral Health Disparities in Medicaid-Enrolled Special Needs Children wi, Northwest/Alaska/Hawaii Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities
OpenAlex ID: W2100627015