18 New Zealand Dental Journal – March 2014 U ¯ kaipo ¯ niho Report Peer-reviewed paper. Submitted September 2013; accepted November 2013. ABSTRACT Objectives: To report on oral-health-related characteristics, beliefs, and behaviours among participants in a randomised control trial of an intervention to prevent early childhood caries (ECC) among Ma ¯ori children, and to determine whether there were any systematic differences between the intervention and control groups at baseline. Design: Baseline measurements from a randomised control trial (involving 222 pregnant Ma ¯ori women allocated randomly to either Intervention or Delayed groups) which is currently underway. Setting: The rohe (tribal area) of Waikato-Tainui. Methods: Self-report information collected on sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy details, self-reported general and oral health and health-related behaviours, and oral health beliefs. Results: Other than those in the Delayed group being slightly older, on average, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Some 37.0% were expecting their first child. Most reported good health; 43.6% were current smokers, and 26.4% had never smoked. Only 8.2% were current users of alcohol. Almost all were dentate, and 57.7% described their oral health as fair or poor. One in six had had toothache in the previous year; 33.8% reported being uncomfortable about the appearance of their teeth, and 27.7% reported difficulty in eating. Dental service-use was relatively low and symptom-related; 78.9% needed to see a dentist. Overall, most of the sample believed that it was important to avoid sweet foods, visit dentists and to brush the teeth, while about half thought that using fluoride toothpaste and using floss were important. Some 38.2% felt that drinking fluoridated water was important. Oral-health-related fatalism was apparent, with 74.2% believing that most people usually get dental problems, 58.6% believing that most people will need extractions at some stage, and that most children eventually get dental caries. Conclusions: Mothers’ important role in nurturing the well-being of the young child includes the protection and maintenance of the growing child’s oral health (or ukaipo niho). The findings provide important insights into Ma ¯ori mothers’ oral health knowledge, beliefs and practices. U ¯ kaipo ¯ niho: the place of nurturing for oral health Broughton JR, Person M, Maipi JTeH, Cooper-Te Koi R, Smith-Wilkinson A, Tiakiwai S, Kilgour J, Berryman K, Morgaine KC, Jamieson LM, Lawrence HP, Thomson WM INTRODUCTION Early childhood caries (ECC) causes profound suffering, frequently requiring expensive treatment under a general anaesthetic (Malden et al, 2008). It is strongly associated with poor oral health in adulthood (Thomson et al, 2004). Marked ethnic disparities are apparent in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, where the prevalence and severity of ECC are higher in indigenous children than their non- indigenous counterparts (Parker et al, 2010). If the burden of ECC experienced by indigenous children in these nations is to be reduced, more needs to be done to ensure that appropriate preventive measures—together with support for maintaining optimal oral health—are undertaken with carers of such children in the early life stages. Findings from the most recent national oral health survey have confirmed that Ma ¯ori do not enjoy the same oral health (or access to routine dental care) as non-Ma ¯ori (Ministry of Health, 2010). Ma ¯ori mothers play the key role in the oral health of their children (Murchie, 1984), and this was reiterated by Dyall (1997), who stressed the crucial role of Ma ¯ori women as fundamental agents of change in shaping the behaviour and values of the next generation. A community-based assessment of the oral health needs of Ma ¯ori mothers in Porirua found not only substantial need, but that access to appropriate information, support and dental care was deficient. The dental system for adults was ineffective for Ma ¯ori mothers, and its focus on relief of pain provided little opportunity for preventive dental care. The author identified a need for a community-based oral health service with a wha ¯nau approach and a preventive focus (Makowharemahihi, 2006). These findings were supported by those of a study of oral health research priorities for Ma ¯ori (Robson et al, 2011). In recent years, a small number of oral health initiatives have targetted Ma ¯ori women. In 1997, the Tipu Ora Charitable Trust (a Ma ¯ori mother and child wellness provider in Rotorua) established a dental service for its client base of pre- school children. This service has subsequently developed with the provision oral health services for all age groups including mothers, care-givers and parents. In Northland, the Ngati Hine Health Trust and Hokianga Health have more recently developed specific oral health services for young mothers and caregivers. Given their importance in ensuring oral health among tamariki Ma ¯ori, it is somewhat curious that little is known of the oral health beliefs and oral-health-related behaviours of Ma ¯ori women. The aim of this paper is to report on oral-health-related characteristics, beliefs, and behaviours among participants in a randomised control trial of an intervention to prevent ECC among Ma ¯ori children, and to determine whether there were any systematic differences between the intervention and control groups at baseline.