Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Parents toward the Oral Health of their School-going Children in Faridabad City

Abstract

Aim: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents toward the oral health of their school-going children in Faridabad city. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 312 parents who reported in the outpatient department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry at Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences & Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 18) software for descriptive and multivariate analysis, and the level of statistical significance used in this study was chosen at p < 0.05. Result: The results of this study showed that the sample selected had relatively good knowledge regarding the number of teeth present in the mouth of their child, the importance of filling the primary teeth, and trauma-related knowledge. Parents were aware that excess sugar intake, germs/bacteria, and sticky food are responsible for causing caries. On the contrary, a few of the parents were not aware of the ideal time for the first dental visit. Parents showed a positive attitude regarding the importance of supervised brushing twice with fluoridated toothpaste. Conclusion: We concluded in the present study that the knowledge of parents regarding the oral health of their children in Faridabad city is relatively good, but in a few aspects, it’s been observed that this knowledge is not implemented, and the attitude of the parents toward good oral health practices needs to be improved more. As pedodontists, we can help to bring this change to the present society as we can counsel parents to take appropriate care of their children’s oral health. Clinical significance: This article will help to assess the awareness of parents toward the oral health of their school-going children, which will further help in improving their knowledge, attitude, and practices, hence improving the oral hygiene of children.