Nationally-representative data from 33 174 middle school students in 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries show a strong relationship between infrequent toothbrushing and infrequent handwashing.

Tooth brushing is an effective tool to mechanically remove plaque. This study determines the tooth brushing frequency (at least once a day) in Mexican schoolchildren. The author observed that maternal characteristics are associated with the oral health behaviour of their children.