[Process of the tooth brushing habit formation in children. 2. Factors forming the behavior of tooth brushing in children]

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find in the factors forming the habit of tooth brushing in children. Questionnaires about the habit of tooth brushing were collected in Nagoya and the suburbs from mothers of kindergarten pupils aged from one to six. These data were analysed by the second class of Hayashi's quantifying theory. The results of this study were summarised as follows: 1. Habit of tooth brushing: 1) A high correlation ratio was obtained in the discriminatory efficiency of the habit of tooth brushing, at ages one to three this was 0.44 and for ages four to six it was 0.47. 2) The following six items were chosen in relation to the habit formation of tooth brushing at ages one to three, "motive for starting tooth brushing", "frequency of tooth brushing per day on the average", "co-operative of the child towards its mother's help", "positive attitude towards tooth brushing", "experienced guidance in tooth brushing from its mother", "experienced guidance in tooth brushing from a dentist or dental hygienist". 3) Similarly for ages four to six, the following four items were chosen, "frequency of tooth brushing per day on the average", "persons who actually brush the children's teeth at night", "attitude of the child towards tooth brushing", "experienced guidance in tooth brushing from a dentist or dental hygienist". 2. Ability of tooth brushing: 1) A comparative high correlation ratio was obtained in the discriminatory efficiency of the ability of tooth brushing, at ages one to three this was 0.37 and for ages four to six it was 0.20. 2) The following five items were chosen in relation to the ability of tooth brushing at ages one to three, "age", "motive for the start of tooth brushing", "mother's attitude to child not brushing its teeth", "frequency of using tooth paste", "experienced guidance in tooth brushing from a dentist or dental hygienist". 3) Similarly for ages four to six, the following five items were chosen, "age", "persons who actually brush the children's teeth at night", "co-operative attitude of the child towards its mother's help", "attitude of the child towards tooth brushing", "frequency of using tooth paste".