Parent's Attitudes toward Their Children's Oral Health Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health and presented challenges to maintaining oral health in children. Efficient management and prevention of oral diseases are therefore crucial in this population. Aim. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess parents' self-reported oral and dental hygiene habits for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A total of 256 parents of primary school children in Qazvin completed an online questionnaire containing demographic, general, and cardinal questions. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, and accurate analytical tests were run to reach the results. Results. The study found that 69.1% of parents and 87.1% of children brushed their teeth regularly during the pandemic. Additionally, 80.5% of parents monitored their children while brushing. While some parents expressed concerns about COVID-19 infection, parents from lower socioeconomic status reported a higher willingness to attend dental centers than those from more prosperous areas. Conclusion. These findings suggest that parents' supervision and attitude toward oral health care significantly affect children's oral hygiene habits during the pandemic, possibly due to increased time spent together during lockdowns.