Assessment of Parental Knowledge and Awareness about Preventive Dentistry - A Questionnaire Study

Suma G, Kishanraj K

Abstract: Background: Preventive interventions particularly among children, have become extremely important due to increased dental caries and lesions. Because parents have such a significant role in their children's lives, their understanding and attitude toward preventative measures will significantly influence their dental health. Aim: The present study was aimed to assess the parental awareness toward the prevention of oral diseases and awareness and utilization of preventive dentistry procedures among the parents. Material and methods: In this study, a set of 15 questions were designed, to be answered by the parents eligible for the study.100 parents who visited the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, V. S Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore for seeking any dental treatment for their children of age group 0 - 14 years are participated in the study by completing a questionnaire which included questions related to their Demographic data, reasons for seeking dental treatment for the child. Questions are also designed to determine parental knowledge and awareness toward caries control, care of deciduous tooth, use of space maintainers for malocclusion, and utilization of various procedures available for preventing oral diseases. A structured and validated questionnaire was modified from questionnaires used previously in studies done by Baradaran Nakhjavani, et al., (2013) and Blumer, et al., (2018). Result: Awareness of preventive dentistry procedures varied among the study population from 6.3% for fluoride varnish to 62.3% for dental floss. Utilization rate was highest topical fluoride application with 17.7% followed by r pit and fissure sealant with 6.3%. Statistically few of the procedures are significant according to education and income (P < 0.05). No difference was found with age group and preventive dentistry procedures (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that there is a low level of awareness in parents regarding knowledge and attitude toward the oral health of children.

Keywords: parental awareness, preventive dentistry, dental flossing