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Effectiveness of a visual‐verbal integration model in training parents and their preschool children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to dispense a pea‐sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste
Author(s) -
Zhou Ni,
Wong Hai Ming,
McGrath Colman
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12560
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , toothpaste , intellectual disability , learning disability , medicine , dentistry , psychiatry
Background A visual‐verbal integration model (VVIM) was used to train parents and their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to dispense a pea‐sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste, aiming to balance the occurrence of dental caries and fluorosis. Method Participants were 370 pairs of IDD preschool children and their parents. A two‐phase pre‐post‐intervention study was performed. The weight of toothpaste was calculated by a portable electronic compact balance. Results A quarter of parents and <20% children dispensed the appropriate amount at baseline. Almost 85% parents and 50% children achieved the pea‐sized amount after intervention. Half of the children continued to use the recommended toothpaste amount after 6 months. Children with higher intellectual functioning and conceptual skills were more likely to dispense the pea‐sized amount of toothpaste. Conclusions Visual‐verbal integration model training had a desired impact on parents’ toothpaste‐dispensing performance. Children with higher adaptive skills may benefit from VVIM training.