Knowledge, perceptions and practices of mothers regarding care of preschool children's teeth [Part I]

ABSTRACT

Early childhood caries is of epidemic proportions in many developing countries. A recent study, done in Alexandria, showed that more than half the children in age group 2-5 years had caries. The present study was designed to assess preschool children preventive dental practices and factors affecting these practices. Accordingly, a cross- sectional study was carried out at two MCH centers affiliated to the Directorate of Health Affaires in Alexandria. From each MCH center 100 mothers of preschool children were selected randomly to form a total of 200. A pre-designed questionnaire included socio-demographic data and items to assess mothers' knowledge, perceptions and practices related to childhood dental caries. Analysis of results revealed that only 39.5% of mothers indicated that brushing of children teeth should start as early as 2 years and only 41.1% of them mentioned that the child should use tooth brush three times daily. Only 8.5% of mothers attained good knowledge score regarding childhood dental caries while about one third of them had poor knowledge. About two fifths of the mothers were not practicing tooth brushing for their children. Only one third of them used to brush their children teeth more than once daily. Two thirds of the mothers never took their children for dental check up. More than two thirds of them [69%] mentioned that their children consume excess sweets, 42% of them mentioned that their children eat vegetables and fruit more than once daily. After controlling for confounding, using Stepwise Multiple Logistic Regression, tooth brushing was significantly associated with higher mothers' perception of benefit of brushing, increased child age, higher mothers' perception of seriousness of dental caries and higher mothers' perception of barrier that the child still young [OR = 6.7, 5.9, 3.5, 4.2, P<0.01 respectively]. Also dental check up was significantly associated with higher mothers' perception of benefit of check up, increased mothers' educational level, increased mothers' knowledge score [regarding childhood dental caries], higher mothers' perception of benefit of treatment and their higher perception seriousness of dental caries [OR = 4.9, 3.2, 6.6, 2.4, 2.1 respectively]. Health education program should be done especially for mothers of preschool children to improve their knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding childhood dental caries