Background: Parent-led toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is part of an evidence-based strategy to prevent caries in children. There is a gap in the literature regarding perceptions of how and when to assist a child with toothbrushing from the maternal perspective.
Methods: A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted with participants in North and North Central Appalachia to examine maternal perceptions of when and how to assist with toothbrushing.