Awareness of parents about dental diseases and their prevention in children

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to determine the level of awareness of parents about dental diseases and their prevention in children. The subjects included 214 parents of the children attending Paedodontics Department, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar for treatment. A questionnaire designed for self-administration was used to collect data so as to evaluate the effects of gender, age and level of education of parents on their awareness. The results showed that more than half of the parents [55%] correctly identified the most important cause of dental caries but only one-fourth [26%] of them were able to identify the most important way to prevent it. Fifty-nine percent [59%] of the participating parents were able to correctly identify the most important cause of gum diseases while 65% know the most important way of their prevention. Nearly two-third of the parents [63%] replied that children should be taken to the dentist regularly for check up even if they don't complain of any problem. Majority of the parents[[82%] showed no knowledge of fluoride. Female parents showed more awareness as compared to their male counterparts. Age and level of education of parents had no effect on the level of awareness except for the knowledge of fluoride, which increased, with increasing level of education it was concluded that the awareness of parents about dental diseases and their prevention in children was not satisfactory and needs to be improved through various measures: