Perceptions of foster carers regarding their oral health caregiving role for children in their care

INTRODUCTION The most common reasons for being placed in care in England are abuse and neglect. Global research suggests that children in care and care leavers are disadvantaged in accessing dental services. Foster carers play an important part in managing and promoting oral health behaviours. METHODS This study provided an opportunity for foster carers to share their experiences of accessing dentistry, and the challenges in supporting oral health for the children and young people they look after. Fifty-four foster carers responded to a dental access survey distributed to in-house foster carers in West Sussex. RESULTS Foster carer respondents were actively caring for 80 children and young people. Forty-nine (91%) considered oral health to be very important for the children and young people they look after. Thirty-five (65%) were “very confident” that they had systems in place to access dentistry quickly when dental treatment need was identified. Twelve (24%) reported problems in supporting toothbrushing behaviour and twenty (41%) reported challenges controlling sugar snacking habits. Seventeen carers (33%) did not recall being provided with targeted toothbrushing advice or training. Nineteen (37%) did not recall receiving dietary advice aimed at preventing caries. Foster carers perceived that efficacy in relation to their ability to control sugar snacking habits decreased with increasing age of the child or young person in care and could be negatively affected by contact with birth parents. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the need for dental teams to recognise and respond to barriers and challenges experienced by foster carers in supporting oral health.