The Effectiveness of E-Learning Anticipatory Guidance on Early Childhood Caries among the Mothers of Children Aged 9-24 Months during the Pandemic: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a multifactorial disease with known etiologic factors and can be very devastating to the oral and general well-being of a child, including psychological impacts on a growing child. Young children constitute a vulnerable population because of their dependence and inability to communicate their needs. Oral health disparities continue to pose critical challenges, as ECC is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Irony lies in the fact that milk, which is a wholesome nutrition, if fed in the wrong pattern, can be the main factor that helps this type of rampant caries spread rapidly, leading to pulp exposures and complicating proceedings. Awareness is the mainstay in prevention, and creating it becomes our sole responsibility as pediatric dentists. A multidisciplinary approach, with the involvement of mothers as the main stakeholders in this effort, becomes a very promising move. Thus, this project is phase two of an interprofessional collaboration involving mothers in prevention.

Aim: The aim of the study is to create awareness among mothers and prevent ECC during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Materials and methods: A total of 200 mothers with children aged 9-24 months were selected and added to the e-groups. The allocated mothers were given a pretest questionnaire, which was collected along with a photo of their child's oral health. Anticipatory guidance was provided to them. Follow-up was done at 2, 4, and 6 months. Awareness was evaluated by pre- and posttest questionnaires. Reversal of white spots was evaluated through indices, and progression was noted.

Statistical analysis: The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 13.

Results: Pretest and posttest questionnaire analysis was done using the Chi-squared test. The test showed a marked increase in the knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers regarding their children after the postintervention, which was given through traditional anticipatory guidance.

Conclusion: In summary, the traditional anticipatory guidance intervention appeared to improve maternal knowledge but had no effect on oral health behaviors or the progression of ECC.

How to cite this article: Sathyaprasad S, Ilyas I, A A. The Effectiveness of E-Learning Anticipatory Guidance on Early Childhood Caries among the Mothers of Children Aged 9-24 Months during the Pandemic: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(12):1409-1417.

Keywords: Anticipatory guidance; Early childhood caries; Lift the lip; Streptococcus mutans; White spot lesions.

Figs 1A and B:

(A) Initial lesion; (B) Reversal of lesion

Fig. 2:

Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool for children under 6 years

Fig. 3:

Investigation design

Fig. 4:

Overall knowledge of study participants pre- and postintervention

Fig. 5:

Overall attitude of study participants pre- and postintervention

Fig. 6:

Overall percentage of awareness postintervention