METHODS. It surveyed 148 mothers in the community of Juan Pablo II, Carabayllo district. The instrument was validated with a pilot of 21 mothers. A section of the questionnaire assessing some knowledge and attitudes of mothers through 9 questions for which the options were "in agreement", "disagree" and "do not know".
RESULTS. The average age of mothers was 27.8 years (SD 5.9, MIN 15, MAX 47). The 32.8% had incomplete secondary, followed by primary (27.0%) and high school (27.0%).
The attitude of the mothers was positive in the majority (87.0%). The 42.3% had an intermediate level of knowledge of oral health. The phrases "I would do anything to avoid having never decay" and "The toothpaste must be placed by an adult and not by a child" to assess the willingness of behaviors and knowledge were answered positively by the majority (90.5% 78.2%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS. The attitude of mothers towards oral health was positive; however knowledge is at intermediate level. We must design programs to promote oral health and prevention of dental caries aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers.