Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 4

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Anil Pandey.
dranilpandey07@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Among all the oral diseases, dental caries is the most common chronic disease affecting the children. Though dental caries is preventable, not much importance has been given to the preventive aspect of dental caries. This is because of the lack of oral health education. Since parents play an important role in a child’s life, their knowledge about child’s oral health will have a significant impact on the child’s oral health status. A proper knowledge for the parents regarding infant’s oral health care will be beneficial in reducing the burden of dental caries in children. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and existing oral health care practices among parents on children’s oral health care in Bhilai-Durg City.  Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenient sample of 750 parents, whose children were 71 months of age or younger. After obtaining informed consent from participants, data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire used in this study was divided into three sections knowledge, attitude and practice having nine questions in each segment.  Results: Significant numbers of parents had limited knowledge, poor attitude and inadequate oral hygiene practices towards prevention of ECC.  Conclusion: The limitations of the parents in providing adequate oral health care for children should be addressed by the dentists as well as other health care providers like Gynaecologists, Paediatricians, Anganwadi workers, Doctors at Primary Health Care centres (PHC).

Keywords: Attitude, Early Childhood Caries, Infant Oral Health, Knowledge, Practice.