Parents' Attitude and Behavior for Oral Health of 0-3-Year Old Children

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the paper was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents regarding the oral health of children aged 0-3 years old in order to propose interventions to intensify the prevention procedures to increase the oral health of children. This research was conducted to provide an overview of parents' views on children's oral health, which can serve as an impetus to improve early childhood health services and enhance education efforts in the context of child maintenance programs in oral health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The type of study – mixed, transversal, descriptive with analytical elements. The quantitative research was carried out by surveying 423 parents with children aged 0-3 years old, citizens of the Republic of Moldova, in the period November-March 2021-2022. The questionnaire was created in Google Forms and distributed online. Study methods – historical, epidemiological, sociological, statistical, data transfer, comparative, graphic. The qualitative part included 3 interviews with representatives of state structures that influence the opinion of decisionmakers.

RESULTS. Most of the study participants were in the 29-39 age group, most of them being female. The residence environment of the majority of respondents was urban, most frequently indicating a higher level of education (bachelor's and/or master's degree). Using the Pearson test, there were statistically significant associations between parents' knowledge regarding the initiation of tooth brushing in children (p<0.01) and the first visit to the dentist (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study suggest that an oral health promotion program is needed to fill the gaps in parents' knowledge and encourage healthy practices regarding young children's oral health.