The Healthy Toddler Mouths research project by Peggy van Spreuwel (Lectorate of Innovations in Preventive Care, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and Section of Society and Oral Health, ACTA) is one of the six contenders for the SIA RAAK award for best practice-oriented research.

Read more on regieorgaan-sia.nl

With Healthy Toddlers, the researchers are using a new way to reduce cavities in toddlers. At nine clinics in the Netherlands, an oral care coach provides parents of babies and toddlers with tailor-made preventive oral care advice from the breakthrough of the first baby tooth. Because the clinic has a visit loyalty of >95%, this offers the unique opportunity to see almost all children at regular intervals and to introduce healthy oral and feeding behavior before unhealthy behavior has already been learned. The method used is based on the Gewoon Gaaf program and offers additional tools for the dental care professional to enter into discussions with parents of the very young.

Lead researcher Peggy feels flattered by the nomination. “The project has been running for a while and such a nomination provides an extra incentive.” With the prize money to be won, the researchers want to focus on knowledge dissemination for both (oral) care professionals and parents. The developed materials will be updated and made available to the professional field via the website, and a webinar and a further training program are also being developed. With the launch of the Instagram account @gezondepeutermonden is aimed at reaching parents with reliable information about the oral health of babies and toddlers.

In addition to the jury prize, Gezonde Peutermonden also has a chance to win the Audience Award. Voting is still possible via https://app.sli.do/event/dfaijepb/live/polls
The winners will be announced on November 25 at the SIA RAAK conference.