Horacio Alarcón Venegas, Marco Cornejo Ovalle, Miguel Grandón Yañez
{"title":"Caregiver Perspectives on the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride as a Caries Treatment in Children in Chile: A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration.","authors":"Horacio Alarcón Venegas, Marco Cornejo Ovalle, Miguel Grandón Yañez","doi":"10.1111/cdoe.70097","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore, from a phenomenological qualitative perspective, the perceptions and experiences of caregivers of children treated with silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in Chile.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted between August and October 2025. Twelve caregivers of children who had received SDF treatment at least 6 months prior to the interview were included, selected through purposive sampling until thematic saturation was achieved. Semi-structured interviews were carried out either in person or online, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis with Atlas.ti, ensuring analytical triangulation and team reflexivity. The study was approved by the RedSalud Scientific Ethics Committee (Project P-26.2025).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Caregivers described an acceptance process influenced by initial feelings of fear, the trust fostered by clear professional communication, and the prioritisation of the wellbeing of their children over aesthetic concerns. The black staining caused by SDF was interpreted in varied ways, ranging from a negative effect to a symbol of protection or even a \"superpower\" that reinforced the value of dental care. The clinical experience was perceived positively due to the absence of pain, the simplicity of the procedure, and the calmness of the children-particularly in cases involving neurodiversity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Caregivers perceived SDF as an effective, safe, and non-invasive treatment that prioritised the wellbeing of the children over aesthetics. Clear information, professional trust, and empathetic communication were key factors in its acceptance. The findings highlighted the need to incorporate cultural, emotional, and communicative dimensions into paediatric dental practice, strengthening shared decision-making and promoting a humanised approach to child oral health.</p>","PeriodicalId":10580,"journal":{"name":"Community dentistry and oral epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Community dentistry and oral epidemiology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.70097","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: To explore, from a phenomenological qualitative perspective, the perceptions and experiences of caregivers of children treated with silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in Chile.
Methods: An exploratory qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted between August and October 2025. Twelve caregivers of children who had received SDF treatment at least 6 months prior to the interview were included, selected through purposive sampling until thematic saturation was achieved. Semi-structured interviews were carried out either in person or online, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis with Atlas.ti, ensuring analytical triangulation and team reflexivity. The study was approved by the RedSalud Scientific Ethics Committee (Project P-26.2025).
Results: Caregivers described an acceptance process influenced by initial feelings of fear, the trust fostered by clear professional communication, and the prioritisation of the wellbeing of their children over aesthetic concerns. The black staining caused by SDF was interpreted in varied ways, ranging from a negative effect to a symbol of protection or even a "superpower" that reinforced the value of dental care. The clinical experience was perceived positively due to the absence of pain, the simplicity of the procedure, and the calmness of the children-particularly in cases involving neurodiversity.
Conclusions: Caregivers perceived SDF as an effective, safe, and non-invasive treatment that prioritised the wellbeing of the children over aesthetics. Clear information, professional trust, and empathetic communication were key factors in its acceptance. The findings highlighted the need to incorporate cultural, emotional, and communicative dimensions into paediatric dental practice, strengthening shared decision-making and promoting a humanised approach to child oral health.
期刊介绍：
The aim of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is to serve as a forum for scientifically based information in community dentistry, with the intention of continually expanding the knowledge base in the field. The scope is therefore broad, ranging from original studies in epidemiology, behavioral sciences related to dentistry, and health services research through to methodological reports in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Reports dealing with people of all age groups are welcome.
The journal encourages manuscripts which present methodologically detailed scientific research findings from original data collection or analysis of existing databases. Preference is given to new findings. Confirmations of previous findings can be of value, but the journal seeks to avoid needless repetition. It also encourages thoughtful, provocative commentaries on subjects ranging from research methods to public policies. Purely descriptive reports are not encouraged, nor are behavioral science reports with only marginal application to dentistry.
The journal is published bimonthly.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
