Children's Oral Health: Knowledge and Interest of Parents/Caregivers

Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge of the parents/caregivers about the oral health of children treated at the Clinic of Cariology of the Center of Health Sciences of the Federal University of Paraiba, PB, Brazil, and verify their interest on receiving information about this subject. Method: This descriptive and transversal study used a structured interview as the data collection strategy. The sample was composed of 49 individuals of both genders, who were interviewed with the aid of a form. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: 63.3% of the interviewees had already have access to information on oral health from their dentist (54.8%). The parents/caregivers considered dental caries a disease (85.7%) and understand what biofilm is (55.1%). However, 73.5% believed that biofilm can only be removed by the dentist. Although 91.8% of the parents/caregivers affirmed that the use of a pacifier is deleterious to the child, 61.2% did not know the limit age to discontinue its use. 63.3% of the parents believed that the exfoliation of primary teeth always precedes the eruption of its successor, and 91.8% considered the anterior region as the site of eruption of the first permanent tooth. Parents/caregivers seemed motivated to receive information about children's oral health (98%), especially from a brochure (29.3%). Conclusion: The parents/caregivers presented moderate knowledge with respect to children's oral health, suggesting the need of educative activities in places like the waiting rooms of dental offices.