Evaluation of the Impact of Maternal Educational Models on Early Childhood Caries in Preterm Infants

Purpose: This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the impact of different educational models on maternal awareness and dental caries development in preterm infants. Methods: This study included 56 preterm infants and their mothers. Participants were divided into two groups based on the education models provided to their mothers: visual and verbal education (Group 1) and verbal education alone (Group 2). Mothers received either visual or verbal presentations focusing on maternal oral hygiene, early childhood caries, and infant oral hygiene. Training and oral examinations were repeated at 3-month intervals for 18 months. Intraoral examinations of the infants were performed again 9 months after the last visit. Demographic factors, oral hygiene and caries development were assessed through clinical examinations and questionnaires. Results: There is no significant difference in demographic variables between the two groups. Both education models significantly increased maternal knowledge, as evidenced by pre-test and post-test scores (p=0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in caries development between the two groups (p=0.322). Only verbal education and visual and verbal education methods were effective in preventing early childhood caries. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that both visual and verbal educational models, repeated at frequent intervals, effectively increase maternal knowledge about oral and dental health in preterm infants.