Many parents are not following recommended guidelines for brushing, flossing, and other habits for optimal pediatric oral health, according to a survey conducted by MetLife.
The survey sample consisted of 500 telephone interviews of parents of children ages 5 and younger with dental insurance.
According to the survey results, 42% of respondents reported that their child's teeth are brushed once or fewer times a day, and 45% said their child's teeth are never flossed. Nearly a quarter of the parents, 23%, have been told by a dentist or hygienist that their child was at risk for tooth decay.
About half (47%) of the parents surveyed have not spoken to their pediatrician about their child's teeth, and may not be making the connection between their child's oral health and their overall health.
More than half of parents, 60%, say their kids are eating sugary foods at least once a day.
Nearly 25% of respondents have not taken their child to the dentist in the past year for an exam. When asked about how often their child should visit the dentist, about one-third (35%) responded that a child 5 years old or younger should visit a dentist less frequently than twice a year or were unsure.
While 72% of respondents added their child to their dental insurance policy between their birth and their first birthday, only 16% of parents actually took their child for their first dental checkup, the survey found.
Only 46% of respondents said their child has received fluoride treatment within the past year. Sixty-one percent of respondents report fluoride is in their tap water, and 39% said there is either no fluoride in their tap water or they are not sure.
