Assessing Caregivers Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding their Children Oral Health and Hygiene in Saudi Arabia

Background: Children are an innocent part of our society that needs excellent attention to improve the world's future. Therefore, prime Importance should be given to children's oral health care by the community as it affects the status of oral health of the next generations. The national prevalence of dental caries and its severity in children in Saudi Arabia was estimated to be approximately 80% for the primary dentition and about 70% for children's permanent dentition. The more positive attitude of the parents toward dental health care and dental professionals leads to the better dental health of their children. Objective: To investigate the caregivers' knowledge, attitude, and practices about oral health and hygiene and their influence in maintaining their children's overall oral health and hygiene practices. Study design: Self-structured, self-administered survey was given to participants to assess caregivers' knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding their children's oral health and hygiene in Saudi Arabia. Statistical analysis was done, and a Chi-square test was used. Results: One third of the participants did not know the amount of toothpaste needed for children. Most of the caregivers who participated in the study believe that breastfeeding should be stopped after 2 years. Furthermore, more than half of the participants do not know the right time to start teeth brushing. In addition, most of the subjects think that a child should rinse their mouth after tooth brushing. Conclusion: While most caregivers know the amount of toothpaste needed for children, one third of them did not. The majority of the participant did not know that breastfeeding should be stopped before the age of two. Moreover, more than half of the caregivers did not acknowledge the fact that teeth brushing should be started after the eruption of the first primary tooth. Also, rinsing after tooth brushing was believed to be the right thing to do by most caregivers. Structuring a preventive program will help and the quality of life in the next generations.