Assessment of parental awareness about malocclusion in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Information empowers people to take charge of their health. The aim of this study in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran was to evaluate parents' knowledge about dental malocclusion, referral routes and information sources. A random sample of 1000 7-9-year-old schoolchildren were given a questionnaire to complete at home. Questionnaires were completed by 795 parents. Knowledge about malocclusion was significantly greater in families with higher levels of education and income. Most respondents (83.5%) were aware of the importance of maintaining primary teeth to prevent malocclusion, and 25.1% thought that carious primary teeth must be extracted. Half of the parents (50.6%) did not know that spaces between primary teeth are normal. Only 28.8% of the children visited dentists for annual routine check-ups. Television (43.3%) was the most common source of dental information. The level of general public awareness about malocclusion needs to be improved.

Impact of an educational leaflet on parents' knowledge and awareness of children's orthodontic problems in Shiraz.

ABSTRACT Raising parents' awareness about dentofacial malocclusions is important for avoiding delays in seeking treatment. The aim of the present research was to assess the impact of an educational leaflet on parent's knowledge and awareness of orthodontic malocclusion in children. Parents of 533 7-9-year-old schoolchildren were randomized into a leaflet group who received an educational leaflet and a control group with no leaflet. Pre-and post-intervention test scores on a questionnaire about orthodontic problems were compared. Differences between post- and pre-test scores were significantly higher in the leaflet group than the control group for the total score and the domain on general awareness of orthodontic problems. Scores on the domain of knowledge of referral intervals did not differ significantly. Information leaflets may be useful for increasing parents' awareness of orthodontic problems in children.

Assessment of parental awareness about malocclusion in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Information empowers people to take charge of their health. The aim of this study in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran was to evaluate parents' knowledge about dental malocclusion, referral routes and information sources. A random sample of 1000 7-9-year-old schoolchildren were given a questionnaire to complete at home. Questionnaires were completed by 795 parents. Knowledge about malocclusion was significantly greater in families with higher levels of education and income. Most respondents [83.5%] were aware of the importance of maintaining primary teeth to prevent malocclusion, and 25.1% thought that carious primary teeth must be extracted. Half of the parents [50.6%] did not know that spaces between primary teeth are normal. Only 28.8% of the children visited dentists for annual routine check-ups. Television [43.3%] was the most common source of dental information. The level of general public awareness about malocclusion needs to be improved