General and pediatric oral health perspectives in mothers of pre-schoolers

Since parents, especially mothers, are responsible for oral health of their preschool children, having a higher knowledge is notableto maintain competent in children?s health care.The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral health perspectives of mothers and its associating factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted on mothers of 4-6 year-old in the three public clinics of Tehran city in 2019, using a questionnaire containing background characteristics (mothers age, educational levels and self-reported income), knowledge (10 questions about general oral health, and 8 questions aboutpediatric oral health)and having anyhealth apps, using internet and social networks to obtain health-related information. For statistical analysis, linear regression with forward method were used by means of SPSS software Version 23. The mean age of the mothers (n=138) ranged from 24 to 48 years (mean age=35.36 years (SD=5.051). Among participants, 103 (74.6%) had academic education. The mean score for general oral health knowledge was 6.42 out of 10 (SD:1.46) and for pediatric oral health knowledge, it was 4.59 of 8 (SD: 1.16). Mothers knowledge about pediatric oral health was directly associated with having health applications (p=0.015, B=0.731, Beta=0.207). General oral health knowledge was directly associated with having health applications (p=0.026, B=0.821, Beta=0.185) and age (p=0.01, B=0.062, Beta=0.214). Mothers knowledge was insufficient in both domains. Our results suggest an association between using health application with better perspectives on oral health which casts light on usefulness of m-health in health promotion of mother and child.