Abstract
Objective: To measure the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of parents in regards to their understanding of early childhood caries (ECC) in Al jouf province, Saudi Arabia (KSA). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional oral health survey was conducted among 228 parents, who were selected by stratified cluster sampling. A questionnaire consisting of 10 questions in each domain addressing knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice for ECC was applied. Scoring in the knowledge field included Yes/No/Don’t know, while the attitude and practice domains used a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The mean values for knowledge of the respondents was 'Yes' (106.1 ±46.12), 'No' (63.5 ±50.95), and 'Don’t know' (58.4 ±23.21); the p-value was p>0.05. The mean values for attitudes of the parents were strongly disagree (49.8 ±33.51), disagree (28 ±15.63), cannot say (47.4 ±20.33), agree (69.4 ±26.57), and strongly agree (33.4 ±30.48); the p-value was p<0.05. The mean values for preventive practices were strongly disagree (23.3 ±25.15), disagree (27.6 ±28.29), cannot say (38.9 ±31.8), agree (84.9 ±28.07), and stronglyagree (53.3 ±38.73); the p-value was <0.05. Conclusion: The parents did not have adequate knowledge of ECC but did have a good attitude and practice towards its prevention.
Highlights
Childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surface in any primary tooth in a child aged 71 months or younger [1]
Little is known about the oral health knowledge of parents in Saudi Arabia
Parents/caregivers play a major role in a child's life, so their knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices have a great influence on the child's oral health
Summary
Childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surface in any primary tooth in a child aged 71 months or younger [1]. Some authors reported a low prevalence of caries in the children of parents with a high level of education and superior socioeconomic status [10]. Factors such as a low level of education in the parents, unemployment, and low income are associated with poor health and chronic disease [11]. Parents/caregivers play a major role in a child's life, so their knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices have a great influence on the child's oral health. It is essential to explore the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice of parents/caregivers as it affects children's dental care and the prevention of ECC. The present study has been undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of parents the Al jouf region in Saudi Arabia in regards to the prevention of ECC
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