Measuring parental awareness and knowledge about the first dental visit and acceptance level of different behavior management techniques in South Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Parental awareness and attitude toward dental knowledge and cultural beliefs have a significant role in preserving the children\'s oral health. On the other hand, the dental situation could be quite overwhelming without behavioral management techniques (BMTs). Thus, this study aimed to measure the level of parental awareness and knowledge about the first dental visit and acceptance level of different BMTs in South Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire via Google Form, and shared through social media from March to April\' 2021. A convenient non-probability sampling technique was employed. Results: Out of 343, most of the participants in this study were females (75.8%) aged between 36-45 years (43.1%) and 98.5% of them were Saudi. Further, most of them had bachelor\'s degree (61.8%). Most of the participants brought their kids for first dental visit in second year of their lives (46.6%), and distraction technique was the most preferred way of BMT (90.1%) used. Conclusion: Most of participants believed that first dental visit should take place in the second year of their child\'s life, even without existing pain or problem, and the first dental experience is important in determining child\'s future dental attitude.