The purpose of this thesis was to create a guidebook of 0-3-year-old children’s oral health care, for the nurses and their clients in Alajärvi health center, and thereby to increase the knowledge of children’s oral health care among young children’s parents. The goal is to improve the dental health of young children in the long term. The guidebook was implemented in cooperation with the nurses working at Alajärvi health center. The aim was to create a clear, interesting and informative guidebook.

The project was divided into a variety of phases, such as brainstorming and studying background information, compilation of knowledge base, project planning and production of the guidebook, which included drafting, developing and finishing the work. The guidebook is based on expert knowledge and it took its final form on the basis of the comments given by the target group, the counselling teachers and the partners. The final report describes the progress of the thesis process step by step.

The result of this project was the guidebook of oral health care, which includes knowledge of oral health care for young children. The guidebook includes information on the bacteria of dental caries and the significance of regular brushing, using xylitol, and dietary nutrition under the caries control of young children. The guidebook also gives information on the eruption of the primary teeth and on the harmful effects the longterm use of baby bottle and dummy have on the development of bite.

My suggestion for further research is an inquiry for parents who are clients at child health clinics. The research could find out what kind of knowledge parents have and how small children’s oral health is taken care of at homes.