To summarize the results presented in Table 2, there were no statistically significant associations between the amount of toothpaste applied in each of the three conditions and the following: child's age; child's gender; number of children in the family
younger than six years old; parent's age; parent's education level; primary language spoken at home; or who (caregiver or child) usually brushes the child's teeth. There was a statistically significant association between the amount of toothpaste applied in
response to the "smear" instruction and the parent's gender. Specifically, in this condition, fathers applied more toothpaste than did mothers (0.32±0.23 g vs O.17±0.14 g; P=.005). There was also a statistically significant association between the amount of toothpaste applied in response to the "pea" instruction and insurance status. Parents of children with private insurance or self-pay status applied more toothpaste than those whose children were covered by public insurance. The mean amount applied was 0.45±
0.28 g among the private insurance or self-pay group vs 0.26±0.18 g applied by parents of children covered by public insurance {P=.01).