Nishtam Niwiipitan (My First Teeth): Oral Health Digital Stories from Urban Indigenous Parents

• Published in: JDR Clinical & Translational Research
• Main Authors: Lee, J., Schroth, R.J., Lawrence, H.P.
• Other Authors: Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2022
• Subjects: General Dentistry; Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23800844221117143; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/23800844221117143; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/23800844221117143

Purpose: To develop oral health–related digital story videos through interviews with Indigenous parents who shared their experiences in dealing with early childhood caries (ECC) in their children. Methods: Indigenous parents in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, were recruited from community programs from October to December 2019 as part of the Nishtam Niwiipitan (My First Teeth), a community-based participatory research study that builds on an ECC intervention. A twofold qualitative narrative approach to data collection was used: 1) interviewing participants and creating digital stories and 2) taking part in the postfilming feedback interviews. Participants were interviewed via video in a semistructured format sharing their experiences and attitudes about caring for children with ECC and the challenges faced seeking dental care for the disease. The stories were drawn from parents in 3 predetermined groups: those with 1) children who had undergone dental surgery under general anesthesia, 2) children who had received silver diamine fluoride as an alternative to surgery to manage ECC, and 3) caries-free children. Prior to editing, the narrated stories were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The postfilming interview transcripts were also analyzed and coded for key themes. Results: Six parents and 1 grandparent, all of whom self-identified as Indigenous (First Nations or Métis) and cared for children aged <6 y, created the digital stories. Three key themes emerged from the postfilming interviews: ability to share, ability to help, and ability to change. Participants felt important, optimistic, and motivated throughout the process of making their digital stories. Conclusion: Digital storytelling offered First Nations and Métis parents a unique opportunity to share their experiences caring for children with ECC with the wider public. These videos can be incorporated into oral health promotion and ECC intervention programs as a culturally appropriate method for reaching Indigenous families. Knowledge ...