KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF PARENTS TOWARDS THE ORAL HEALTH OF THEIR SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN

Abstract

Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents towards the oral health of their school-going children is crucial for promoting good oral hygiene
habits and preventing dental issues. Oral health is a reflection of general health, and any neglect concerning it will affect the general well-being of an individual.A
cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 312 parents who reported to the outpatient Department of Pediatrics and Preventive Dentistry. Data was collected
through a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions about the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents toward the oral health of their school-going
children.Results of the study showed that 32.6% of the total parents had knowledge of the total number of teeth in their children, while very few, that is, 14.1%,
were absolutely unaware of it. The majority of the parents knew that milk teeth were important in children and hence should be treated if needed.This present study
was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents of school-going children toward the oral health of their children in Faridabad. It has been
proved in the literature that appropriate behaviors of school-going children can promote health, but they did not develop an awareness of this relationship until the
third and fourth grades.We can conclude from the present study that the knowledge of parents regarding the oral health of their children in Faridabad city is
relatively good, but in a few aspects, it's been observed that this knowledge is not implemented, and the attitude of the parents toward oral health needs to be
improved more.