IADR Abstract Archives
Oral Health Behaviors of Preschool Children in Tehran, Iran
Objectives: Good oral health behaviors have great impact on children’s overall health and quality of life .The aim of this study was to evaluate oral health behaviors of preschool children and its associated factors.
Methods: The present study was carried out among 4-5-year-olds (n=500) in 2015 in Tehran, Iran. Background information and oral health behaviors including tooth brushing frequency, toothpaste use, dental visit, snacking and night feeding during infancy were assessed by mother’s questionnaire. Chi-square test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Among the participants, 278(55.7%) were boys and 44.9% of mothers and 58.3% of fathers had university education level. Of the children, 52.1% had been night -fed during infancy and 38.8 % had sweet snack consumption more that once a day. Regarding tooth cleaning, 31.5 % of children brushed their teeth without any supervision. Dental cleaning was done once a day in 65.9% of children and 65.3% of subjects had started tooth paste use at the age of 3 and earlier. The first dental visit in 12% of cases was at the age of 1 and earlier and 62.5% of subjects had routine dental examination. Gender comparisons showed that boys had more been fed with milk during the night (p<0.001) and the girls’ dental brushing was more regular (p = 0.002). Oral health behaviors were better in children of higher educated parents (p<0.001).
Conclusions: This study showed that oral health behaviors of the 4-5-year-olds were not in a desirable level. Oral health promotion program for preschooler’s parents in developing countries such as Iran is essential.
Methods: The present study was carried out among 4-5-year-olds (n=500) in 2015 in Tehran, Iran. Background information and oral health behaviors including tooth brushing frequency, toothpaste use, dental visit, snacking and night feeding during infancy were assessed by mother’s questionnaire. Chi-square test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Among the participants, 278(55.7%) were boys and 44.9% of mothers and 58.3% of fathers had university education level. Of the children, 52.1% had been night -fed during infancy and 38.8 % had sweet snack consumption more that once a day. Regarding tooth cleaning, 31.5 % of children brushed their teeth without any supervision. Dental cleaning was done once a day in 65.9% of children and 65.3% of subjects had started tooth paste use at the age of 3 and earlier. The first dental visit in 12% of cases was at the age of 1 and earlier and 62.5% of subjects had routine dental examination. Gender comparisons showed that boys had more been fed with milk during the night (p<0.001) and the girls’ dental brushing was more regular (p = 0.002). Oral health behaviors were better in children of higher educated parents (p<0.001).
Conclusions: This study showed that oral health behaviors of the 4-5-year-olds were not in a desirable level. Oral health promotion program for preschooler’s parents in developing countries such as Iran is essential.