A Qualitative Study of Naturally Living Parents and Child Oral Health: Omissions and Commissions

Abstract

Background:

Oral health continues to be one of the most common and costly diseases in early childhood, and there is a need for further, innovative research.

Purpose:

We explored the ways naturally living parents (those who embody the “natural” within their parenting ideology and behavior) navigated and perceived their children’s oral health.

Methods:

Twelve participants who identified as being “naturally living parents” participated in semistructured interviews. Data were thematically analyzed, and findings were aligned to an omissions and commissions framework to exhibit the complexity of parent decision-making.

Results:

Parents performed distinct omissions, including omitting fluoride, sugar, and “toxins” to maintain their children’s oral health. Parents talked about having a commitment to knowledge building to protect their children’s oral health (e.g., ingredient label reading and increasing knowledge of “safe” ingredients). Findings also provide insight into how parents consider and trust health information and health care providers and ways they gather information relating to oral health.

Conclusions:

Analysis indicated that although parents navigated both omissions and commissions, omissions were more overtly present. Compared to previous health research using this framework, omissions and commissions were not as clearly demarcated in relation to oral health. The results show that oral health is a complex interplay of omissions and commissions, and parents must navigate not only discrete elements that affect the oral health of their children but also how these are influenced by considerations including social well-being.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The study highlights the need for dentists and early childhood health professionals to consider the complex way some parents perceive, inform, and rationalize decisions regarding their children’s oral health. There is a need for nuance when considering children’s oral health and naturally living parenting, especially in relation to effectively communicating health information that fosters trust and is considerate of broader lifestyle and health factors.