Knowledge, Attitude and Barriers to Dental Treatment of Mothers Regarding Early Childhood Caries: A Cross-sectional Survey from Taif Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: “Early Childhood Caries (ECC), also called ‘baby bottle tooth decay’ or ‘early childhood tooth decay,’ significantly affects infants and children aged six or younger, causing cavities and with lasting impacts on oral health and overall well-being. Its global prevalence concerns healthcare professionals and policymakers due to its multifactorial nature, influenced by diet, oral hygiene, socio-economic factors, and maternal awareness. Mothers, as primary caregivers during early childhood, play a crucial role in ECC prevention and early intervention. Aim: This study examines mothers’ knowledge and attitude regarding ECC and risk factors associated with children’s dental health, to determine difficulties in dental therapy in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design in the province of Taif, Saudi Arabia, a random sample of 288 mothers of healthy children aged three to seven years were surveyed. A structured questionnaire containing 26 close ended questions was used to gather information regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude of the mothers regarding ECC, as well as barriers to dental care. The questionnaire was originally drafted in English and then translated into Arabic by a professional translator. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, an analysis and a representation of data was performed. Results: More than half of the mothers 57.63% (n=166) understood the relation between poor dental health and hygiene and a child’s ability to learn, and 20.13% (n=58) didn’t know if poor dental health can impair a child’s ability to learn (p=0.02). The notion that a visit to the dentist should begin within six months of the appearance of milk teeth was agreed with by 55.55% (n=160) of the mothers, while 28.81% (n=83) of them didn’t know the proper time for a child’s first visit to the dentist (p=0.03). Only 22.22% of the mothers didn’t know what the nearest dental center to them was. Conclusion: The present study revealed that mothers did have awareness of different aspects of oral health and dental caries, several mothers exhibited unfavorable attitudes toward oral health practices, which could set a negative example for their children.