There will be six interactions with the research participants. The estimated time for each session is 30 minutes. (1) at recruitment; (2) baseline questionaire; (3) Intervention 6 months; (4) Intervention 12 months; (5) Intervention 18 months; (6) Follow-up questionnaire at 24 months. The mode of administration of the intervention sessions is face-to-face dialogue with individuals who may or may not be supported by other family members. These sessions will cover oral health education and promotion.
At 6 months: education regarding teething and primary teeth eruption sequences; what is early childhood caries and information about the efficacy of fluoridation; information regarding maintaining personal oranga niho (oral health) for the whanau (family).
At 12 months: education regarding healthy diets to maintain child oral health; education regarding the associations between poor oral health and other health indicators such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and obesity in adults. This follows the life course approach in that poor oral health in childhood is a predicter for poor oral health as an adult.
At 18 months: education regarding access to dental services for pre-school children; education about oral hygiene behaviours such as interdental brushing, flossing and prevention of periodontal disease. The fluoride application is 1000 ppm fluorine as sodium fluoride applied topically by dentist or school dental therapist. The infants will receive the topical fluoride at 6, 12 and 18 months of age.