RELATIONSHIP OF PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE WITH THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF CHILDREN
Objectives: This study aims to determine the relation between the knowledge and attitude of parents towards dental health and the oral health status of the child. Since children depend on their parents for most of their day to day activities thus, the outlook of parents towards the dental health can be a major factor in determining the oral health status of their children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving parents of preschool children (6 months-4 years) and primary school going children (4-10 years) via convenience sampling. A self-administered close-ended questionnaire distributed to 250 subjects at dental opds, schools and local society and data collected by direct interview and via email. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 15. Results: Out of 250 questionnaires, 200 were considered for final analysis. 61% of the parents had children of preschool age and 38.5% were primary school going while remaining 0.5% did not mention their child’s age, 95.5% of the parents considered regular dental checkup important for maintenance of their child’s oral health. Although 73.5% thought their child does not need any type of oral health treatment. 54.5% of the parents were influenced by their own dental experience to take their child to the dentist while 59.3% were motivated externally. Conclusions: Our results showed that parents relatively have higher knowledge on dental health. However children still seem to practice habits which affect their oral health. Therefore health education should focus on improving parents’ attitude to develop practice of oral hygiene habits and diet modification in children.
Division: Pakistan Section Meeting
Meeting:2015 Pakistan Section Meeting (Lahore, Pakistan) Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Year: 2015 Final Presentation ID: Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s):Behavioral, Epidemiologic and Health Services
Authors
Sami, Anum
( Bahria University Medical & Dental College
, Karachi
, Sindh
, Pakistan
)
Akhtar, Dr. Jehanzaib
( Dow University of Health Sciences
, Karachi
, Pakistan
)
Moin, Dr. Hira
( Dow University of Health Sciences
, Karachi
, Pakistan
)