Thesis (M.Sc.)-Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health

Bibliography: p. 99-102.

Aim: This study aims to assess parent’s knowledge, attitude and practices towards oral health of their children with primary dentition. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey study was performed in the Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. Data was obtained through a written closed structured questionnaire translated from English to the Arabic language; for the assessment of the parents’ KAP scores and via clinical examination of the children for the assessment of caries prevalence by calculation of their dmf scores. Results: A total of 301 parents and their children were included in the study. The majority of parents (90%) had adequate knowledge scores with a significantly strong negative correlation with the (dmf) scores of their children. For Attitude score; (100%) of parents reported adequate attitude score, with insignificant weak negative correlation with the (dmf) scores of their children. Finally, the practice score was adequate in only (44.52%) of parents, with a significantly strong negative correlation between practice adequacy percentage and with the (dmf) scores of the children Conclusions: The majority of parents had adequate knowledge and attitude, although having inadequate practice. The mean (dmf) score of the children was significantly affected by parent’s knowledge but weakly affected by their beliefs and attitudes. The poor practice of parents revealed in the present study had a strong negative influence on their children’s caries prevalence.

Issues also as CD.

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.