Foster Carers' views of LAC oral health post pandemic
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the views of foster carers regarding oral health of looked after children post-Covid-19 pandemic.
IRAS ID
324329
Contact name
Jennifer Parry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sussex Community NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
This study aims to engage with carers within the children's care system regarding oral health care for looked after children (children in care) post pandemic. NHS providers work in partnership with local authorities to develop appropriate services to meet the health needs of looked after children (LAC) including oral health. A body of international evidence has identified that LAC are more likely to have dental treatment needs and less likely to access dental services, including preventive dental care, even when accounting for sociodemographic factors. This study aims to explore the views of foster carers about oral health advice and pathways available for LAC on entering and throughout their time in the care system post pandemic. The study will potentially contribute to the planning of future oral health services for LAC.
This study is following on from, and is a post pandemic version of, a study conducted by this CI in 2017/2018 which investigated the views of foster carers and NHS staff. The results form these two studies will be compared.Lay Summary of Results
This study provided opportunity for foster carers to share their experience of using dental services and providing dental health support for children they look after. Fifty-four foster carers completed the dental survey which was distributed by West Sussex County Council to 200 Foster Carers. The Foster Carers who took part were actively caring for 80 children and young people. The vast majority (91%) of Foster Carers considered dental health to be very important for the children and young people they looked after. Sixty-five percent of Foster Carers were very confident they had systems in place to access dentistry quickly when a need for dental treatment was identified. Where dissatisfaction with dental teams was expressed, it related to lack of understanding regarding previous trauma, neglect and anxiety. Twenty-four percent of Foster Carers reported problems getting the children they looked after to carry out toothbrushing. Forty-one percent of Foster Carers reported challenges controlling sugar snacking, particularly in older children. Many Foster Carers (33%) did not recall being provided with specific toothbrushing advice and 37% of Foster Carers did not recall receiving specific dietary advice tailored to the child in their care. The results of this project support findings from other researchers that foster carers understand the importance of good dental health and are motivated to find ways to overcome the challenges of accessing dental services, and the challenges of existing poor dental health habits. Foster Carers used a mixture of pathways (NHS and private) to access dental services. Findings from this research highlight a need for clear dental access pathways and for dental teams to take time to understand and provide support for Foster Carers to tackle poor toothbrushing and sugar snacking habits for children in their care.
Has the registry been updated to include summary results?: No
If yes - please enter the URL to summary results:
If no – why not?: Study not registered.
Did you follow your dissemination plan submitted in the IRAS application form (Q A51)?: Yes
If yes, describe or provide URLs to disseminated materials: DOI: 10.1308/rcsfdj.2025.18
If pending, date when dissemination is expected:
If no, explain why you didn't follow it:
Have participants been informed of the results of the study?: Yes
If yes, describe and/or provide URLs to materials shared and how they were shared: A link to the publication and a lay summary conclusion has been supplied to Nikki Burch (nikki.burch@westsussex.gov.uk), Senior Marketing and Communications Officer, West Sussex County Council.
The link and summary will be shared with foster carers in the April 2025 FOSTERING West Sussex newsletter, by West Sussex County CouncilIf pending, date when feedback is expected:
If no, explain why they haven't:
Have you enabled sharing of study data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide URLs to how it has been shared:
If no, explain why sharing hasn't been enabled: Research survey data has been shared and stored with sponsor.
Have you enabled sharing of tissue samples and associated data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide a URL:
If no, explain why: No tissue samples involvedREC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1753
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion