Open AccessKnowledge and attitude of parents toward oral health maintenance and treatment modalities for their children
Author(s) -
Pooja Bodhale,
Swati Karkare,
Shivaji Khedkar
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of dental research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2348-3172
pISSN - 2348-2915
DOI - 10.4103/2348-3172.126161
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , modalities , medicine , oral health , positive attitude , treatment modality , family medicine , dental health , psychology , environmental health , social psychology , population , surgery , social science , sociology
Background and Aim: Parents have an important role in making decisions about their child′s oral health. The purpose of this study was to determine parental awareness of their children′s oral health maintenance and their attitude toward dental treatment. Materials and Methods: Total 284 parents from different socioeconomic groups participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire addressing various aspects of knowledge and attitude of parents toward oral health and treatment modalities. Results: Awareness among parents was significantly lower in low socioeconomic group. Their attitude toward dental treatment differed significantly in which only 53% parents from high socioeconomic group preferred going to the pediatric dentist. Conclusion: The level of awareness among parents is relatively low and there is need for the implementation of oral health awareness programs for parents to change their attitude toward dental treatment of their children