Assessment of parental attitude, knowledge and awareness towards preventive dentistry in south zone of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A questionnaire based cross sectional survey

Introduction: Oral health is a pivotal aspect of overall well-being. In early childhood, primary teeth play a vital role in development of speech, chewing, maintaining proper spacing, and guiding the eruption of permanent teeth. Common oral conditions comprise dental caries, malocclusion, childhood caries, and trauma. Aim: The present study was conducted to assess paternal knowledge towards the forestallment of oral conditions and application of preventive dental procedures in children in South zone of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to parents of pediatric patients of age group 3 to12 years in South zone of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, with a sample size of 270 participants. A structured questionnaire, comprising 14 questions in English, was developed, translated and back translated into the local language Marathi by experts to ensure better comprehension by the parents. The questionnaire was divided into two sections: the first focused on demographic information, while the second included 14 multiple-choice, close-ended questions. These questions included topics such as preventive treatments for dental caries, childhood caries, topical fluoride application, fluoridated toothpaste, pit and fissure sealants, habit-breaking dental appliances, malocclusion, mouth guards, and space maintainers. Additionally, the survey addressed harmful habits such as thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, and nail-biting. Result: 56.6% of parents sought dental care only after experiencing pain. Additionally, parents of paediatric patients have restricted knowledge about preventive dentistry. Conclusion: Parental knowledge about preventive dental procedures is limited, as is the utilization of these measures.