MOBILE

Logo-Header.png

Principle #8: Parental attitudes drive behaviour

Address beliefs, not just information. Long-term prevention depends on how parents feel about fluoride

Providing correct information alone is not enough to change behaviour. Parents’ beliefs, attitudes, and confidence determine whether preventive advice is followed consistently at home. Effective communication supports understanding, reassurance, and confidence, not one-time compliance.

Core Behaviour

  • Recognise that attitudes influence daily behaviour
  • Reinforce prevention as ongoing, not one-off
  • Use consistent messages across visits
  • Support confidence rather than compliance
  • Link fluoride use to everyday routines

QuickTalking Tips

Your goal is to support sustained preventive habits, not just agreement in the moment.

DOThis

(Reinforcing positive attitudes and habits)

Use verbal and non-verbal behaviours that convey respect and care:

  • “You’re already doing a lot to protect your child’s teeth.”
  • “Doing this every day really makes a difference over time.”
  • “Consistency matters more than perfection.”
  • “This becomes part of your daily routine, just like brushing.”
  • “We’ll keep checking in and adjusting as your child grows.”

These messages:

  • Strengthen parental confidence
  • Support habit formation
  • Reduce pressure or fear of doing things ‘wrong’

AVOIDThis

(One-off or compliance-focused messaging)

Avoid language that frames fluoride use as a single decision or test:

  • “As long as you do this, everything will be fine.”
  • “You must follow this exactly.”
  • “If you don’t use fluoride, cavities will happen.”
  • “This is what you’re supposed to do.”
  • “We’ve explained this already.”

These approaches can unintentionally:

  • Increase pressure or guilt
  • Undermine confidence
  • Do not support long-term behaviour change

Standard Chairside Language

“What matters most is using a small amount regularly. That’s what protects teeth over time.”

“You’re doing the right things - this just adds extra protection.”

“As your child grows, we’ll adjust the amount, but the routine stays the same.”

“If anything feels unclear later, we can always revisit it.”

Supporting Visual /Behavioural Cues / General Delivery Tips

  • Refer back to previous visits positively
  • Use simple take-home materials when available
  • Reinforce the same messages consistently over time
  • Focus on encouragement rather than instruction
  • Avoid alarmist language
  • Reinforce small, achievable actions
  • Repeat key messages across visits
  • Keep facial expressions neutral and warm

Consistency builds confidence. Behaviour change is cumulative, not instant.

Research shows that:

  • Parental attitudes strongly influence children’s oral health behaviours
  • Confidence and understanding predict consistency
  • Repetition and reinforcement support habit formation

Addressing beliefs supports sustained prevention.

Evidence Base

Studies in paediatric oral health demonstrate strong links between parental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, and children’s oral health outcomes. Fluoride prevention only works when used consistently over time.

 

Supporting positive parental attitudes:
  • Encourages daily use
  • Reduces anxiety-driven discontinuation
  • Sustains preventive benefit beyond a single visit

 

Effective preventive communication:
  • Reinforces positive beliefs
  • Supports consistent behaviour
  • Improves long-term outcomes
 
Key evidence

Adair PM, Pine CM, Burnside G, Nicoll AD, Gillett A, Anwar S, et al.

Familial and cultural perceptions and beliefs of oral hygiene and dietary practices among parents of preschool children. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2004;32(5):339–347. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15072479/ 

 

Hooley M, Skouteris H, Boganin C, Satur J, Kilpatrick N.

Parental influence on children’s oral health: A systematic review. Journal of Dentistry. 2012;40(11):873–885. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22842202/ 

This principle ensures the impact of fluoride communication extends well beyond the dental chair.

Other Principles

#1 Approach with confidence: Make fluoride the default, not a debate

READ MORE

#2 Strong recommendations build trust

READ MORE

#3 Listen first: When hesitancy surfaces, guide, don’t persuade. 

READ MORE

#4 Principle: Move beyond myth-busting: Reassure and reframe 

READ MORE

#5 Simplify and demonstrate: Plain language builds confidence 

READ MORE

#6 Prevention communication should be tailored and direct 

READ MORE

#7 Trust signals matter: Communication goes beyond words 

READ MORE

#8 Parental attitudes drive behaviour

READ MORE

Disclaimer – Professional Communication Tools

The communication principles and practical examples presented on this page are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are intended to support reflective practice and professional development in the context of dentist–parent communication around preventive oral health care. These materials do not constitute clinical, medical, legal, or professional advice, and they are not a substitute for individual clinical judgement, professional training, or applicable national guidelines, regulations, or standards of care. The International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) does not mandate the use of these principles, nor does it guarantee any specific clinical or behavioural outcomes resulting from their application. The examples provided are illustrative and non-exhaustive, and their appropriateness may vary depending on individual circumstances, patient needs, cultural context, and local regulatory frameworks. By using these materials, users acknowledge that responsibility for clinical decisions, professional conduct, and patient communication remains solely with the treating professional. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the IAPD disclaims any liability for loss, damage, or claims arising from the use or interpretation of the content provided.

The Fluoriders campaign is an initiative of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) designed to promote good oral hygiene habits in children.

The Fluoriders initiative is supported by an educational grant from Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® programme. All educational content is developed independently by IAPD.