What Keeps Kids from Having Excellent Oral Health?

The Delta Dental Plans Association/Morepace Inc. asked that question of more than 900 parents and other caregivers in a recent nationwide survey.¹ What you told us is that kids don’t always brush, floss, and eat the way they should. If you’re a parent, that’s probably not a big surprise. This issue of Member News focuses on how you can instill good oral health habits in your children that will benefit them throughout their lives.

We know it’s often hard to believe - especially when your child stubbornly refuses to brush before bedtime - that you have any influence on his or her behavior. But you do. The survey found that parents by an overwhelming margin have the biggest influence on their children’s oral health habits. Your kids may resist your advice, but they’re probably listening. So don’t give up. They are counting on you to help guide them to a healthy adulthood.

¹Morpace Inc. conducted the 2009 Delta Dental Children's Oral Health Survey. Random 15-minute telephone interviews were conducted nationally with 914 primary caregivers of children from birth to age 11. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of error is +/- 3.2% at a 95% confidence level.