Impact of an oral health intervention on pre-school children <3 years of age in a rural setting in Australia

Abstract

Aim: Australian pre-school children living in rural areas experience higher levels of dental caries than those in metropolitan areas. This may be because of a lack of community water fluoridation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based intervention to improve the oral health of children in non-fluoridated rural Victoria, Australia. Methods: The study was conducted across three local government areas in Victoria, with two receiving the intervention and one remaining with standard care. Although multifaceted, the primary strategy of the intervention was the promotion of early exposure to fluoridated toothpaste, including the distribution, by maternal and c..