Practice abstract


British Dental Journal 204, 371 - 374 (2008)
Published online: 12 April 2008 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.245

Subject Categories: Paediatric dentistry | Scientific publishing

Conducting qualitative interviews with school children in dental research

P. Gill1, K. Stewart2, E. Treasure3 & B. Chadwick4

  • Children have traditionally been excluded from personally participating in research, due to a variety of pragmatic and ethical concerns.
  • Where children's personal perspectives are sought, proxy information (even from parents) is often inadequate.
  • Interviews, even with young children, can produce unique, detailed and trustworthy accounts, which can be used to improve understanding on a variety of issues.


This paper explores when and how to conduct qualitative research with children in dentistry, using research interviews as a method of data collection. Methodological guidance is also provided, based on research and a recent dental public health study in which 74 children from Years 2 (6-7-year-olds) and 6 (10-11-year-olds) were interviewed about their understanding of and attitudes to food.

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  1. Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
  2. Research Fellow, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2AA
  3. Dean and Professor of Dental Public Health
  4. Professor of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Dental Health and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY

Correspondence to: P. Gill1 e-mail: PWGill@glam.ac.uk



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