Methods: A total of 450 standard questionnaires were distributed to students attending selected kindergartens and primary schools in Rewa and Nadroga-Navosa Provinces in Fiji for the parents or guardians to complete.
Results: 85% of the questionnaires were completed. The average age for a child's first dental visit was 6(± 2.2) years. 8% had their first exposure to a dentist at 6-24 months, 19% at 3-5 years of age and 48% at 6-7 years, 3% at 8 years and 4% were unknown but had been seen by the school dental team. 18% of children had never visited a dentist. The main reason for child's first attendance was for pain relief and this was significantly higher than for other reasons (P= 0.02). There was inconsistency in awareness regarding consent and procedural invasiveness. Level of awareness for consent for local and general anaesthesia was significantly lower in poorer socioeconomic groups (P<0.05). 50% of the respondents had knowledge of all the 3 forms of consent, 25% were familiar with only written consent, 15% were familiar with only verbal consent, 4% were familiar with only implied consent and 6% were not familiar with consent at all.
Conclusion: This study showed that majority of children's visit to a dentist is between 6-7 years of age and the most common reason for visit was for relief of pain. A high proportion of children aged 3-9 years had never visited a dentist. Knowledge and socioeconomic status could affect consent. Caution is required to ensure informed consent is always obtained and the profession should advocate for greater awareness in this field.