Socio-behavioural determinants associated with the first dental visit in Saudi children: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Backgroud: Oral health is an integral component of overall well-being, understanding the age at which children have their first dental visit (FDV) and the socio-behavioural factors influencing these visits is essential for improving oral health outcomes in children. Aim: This study aimed to determine the age at which Saudi children had their FDV and the socio-behavioural predictors associated with these visits in Al Jouf Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Design: This cross-sectional study used a multistage stratified random sampling technique to invite 566 parents/guardians of schoolchildren aged 12 years or younger. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify socio-behavioural variables that predict children's FDV. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most FDVs in children occurred between the ages of 6 and 10 years. More than half of the participants stated that FDVs occurred primarily because of dental pain. Furthermore, educated mothers reported a higher frequency of dental visits for their children. Children with a low family income were 63% (95% confidence interval 0.16–0.83; p =.015) less likely to visit a dentist between the ages of 1 and 5 years. Conclusion: First dental visits in children in Al Jouf Province typically occurred between the ages of 6 and 10 years, with dental pain being the main reason. Parents' or caregiver's relationships with children, parental age and familial income were identified as predictors of the FDV.