Assessment of parental perceptions and acceptance of silver diamine fluoride staining among the children with dental caries experience in a Town in South India – A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the parental perceptions of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) dentinal staining using a pre-tested questionnaire and SDF treatment photographs. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 parents of pre-school children with previous dental cavity experience were randomly selected to obtain data. Univariate analysis of the association of variables and the acceptability of SDF based on the treatment was conducted using the Mann–Whitney U test, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. SDF treated photographs of anterior and posterior teeth were displayed and their understanding of the ease of application and dentinal staining was obtained using a pretested, self-structured, and closed-ended questionnaire by face-to-face interview method. Results: After interviewing 163 mothers and 137 fathers, 62.4% of participants acknowledged SDF staining on the posterior teeth to be satisfactory, but only 28.7% of parents made this equivalent judgment about anterior teeth (P < 0.005). In the absence of their child having behavioral barriers to conventional restorations, 60.3% of parents reported that they were likely to settle on SDF to treat their child’s posterior teeth, but only 21% of participants were likely to settle on SDF to treat their child’s anterior teeth. The level of acknowledgment of the parents increased with the children’s behavioral barriers. Conclusion: Although staining on anterior teeth was undesirable, most parents opted for this cavity management over advanced behavioral techniques. Therefore, the proper understanding of parental perceptions is important while choosing SDF for treating dental caries.