ArticlePloS one2023
A conceptual model on caregivers' hesitancy of topical fluoride for their children.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Probiotic supplementation and dental caries prevention in children and adolescents: a systematic review of strain-specific and context-dependent effects.Clinical oral investigations · 2026Pooled it
- Navigating fluoride hesitancy: mapping the evidence base for fluoride-free toothpaste alternatives.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Review
- How the public's knowledge, attitudes, and practice intersect with scientific evidence about fluoride.Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care · 2025Article
- A Comparison Between Parents with Different Attitudes Towards Topical Fluoride Application for Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.Oral health & preventive dentistry · 2025Article
- Topical fluoride hesitancy and opposition are significantly and positively associated: A cross-sectional study.PloS one · 2025Article
- Comparative Perceptions of Fluoride Toxicity in Oral Hygiene Products: Insights from the General Population and Healthcare Professionals.Clinics and practice · 2024Article
- A Qualitative Study on Dentists' Communication Approaches in Managing Fluoride-Hesitant Caregivers.JDR clinical and translational research · 2024Article
- A Mixed-Methods Study on Topical Fluoride Beliefs and Refusal Behaviors for Caregivers of Children with Special Health Care Needs.Maternal and child health journal · 2024Article
- Observational
- Changes in Children's Receipt of Fluoride Varnish During Medical Visits and the COVID-19 Pandemic.Academic pediatricsArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundTopical fluoride hesitancy is a well-documented and growing public health problem. Despite extensive evidence that topical fluoride is safe and prevents tooth decay, an increasing number of caregivers are hesitant about their children receiving topical fluoride, leading to challenges in clinical settings where caregivers refuse preventive care. PURPOSE: To explore the determinants of topical fluoride hesitancy for caregivers with dependent children.
methodsIn this qualitative study, we interviewed 56 fluoride-hesitant caregivers to develop an inductive conceptual model of reasons why caregivers are hesitant.
resultsThe core construct of the conceptual model of topical fluoride hesitancy centered on caregivers "wanting to protect and not mess up their child". Six domains comprised this core construct: thinking topical fluoride is unnecessary, wanting to keep chemicals out of my child's body, thinking fluoride is harmful, thinking there is too much uncertainty about fluoride, feeling pressured to get topical fluoride, and feeling fluoride should be a choice.
conclusionsTopical fluoride hesitancy is complex and multifactorial. Study findings provide insight for future efforts to understand and optimize caregivers' preventive care decision making.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.