Abstract:
D
ental caries affect 60
-
90% of school
-
going children globally, and the prevalence is rising
steadily in developing countries. Its impacts reduce the quality of life in children;
compromise their nutrient intake, enjoyment of food, growth and sleeping patter
ns. The
purpose of this study was to determine parents’/caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and
practice behaviors regarding dental caries in 5
-
year old children. A cross
-
sectional study
was conducted among 382 randomly sampled parents/caregivers who particip
ated in the
study using a self
-
administered questionnaire consisting of five items on knowledge, attitude
and practices of dental hygiene related to prevention of dental caries. Dental caries
assessment was carried out using the standard procedures describ
ed by World Health
Organization. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version
21, 2014 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results showed that parents/caregivers have
sufficient knowledge and a positive attitude towards oral healt
h hygiene of the 5
-
year
-
old
children. However, practices such as techniques of brushing teeth and reduction in the
frequency of consumption of foods and snacks with refined sugar is not well implemented. In
conclusion, parents’/caregiver’s knowledge, attit
ude and practices related to their
children’s dental health is important in preventing dental caries. Therefore, more emphasis
should be placed on educating the parents/caregivers on how to take care of their children’s
teeth and to strengthen proper techn
ique of brushing teeth.
