Exploring Oral Health Knowledge and Practices among Early Childhood Caregivers
A Cross-Sectional Survey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48112/aessr.v4i2.764Abstract
Abstract Views: 1571
Early childhood is a crucial developmental phase of a child's well-being, which lays the foundation for their future growth. Lack of good oral practices may cause dental issues during this fundamental phase of development and have a long-lasting impact on a child's overall well-being. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, to explore oral health knowledge and practices among the caregivers of young children. A sample of 94 participants, including parents, caregivers, early childhood educators, and healthcare professionals (HCPS), was included through a convenient sampling technique. An online survey questionnaire was administered, which covered various aspects of oral hygiene practices to prevent common oral diseases among children. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0. Statistical significance was accepted as p ≤0.05. Results of the study revealed no significant differences in oral health knowledge and practices based on age and gender. However, comparisons based on profession and roles showed a significant difference. Most participants agreed on the importance of regular oral hygiene practices. However, their opinions differed on certain oral hygiene practices, including the frequency of brushing and the timing of the first dental visit. This study underscores the importance of targeted education and interventions to improve oral health outcomes during the critical developmental phase of childhood.
Keywords:
Dental disease, Early childhood caregivers, Early childhood development, Early childhood educators, Oral hygiene practicesReferences
Adil, A. H., Eusufzai, S. Z., Kamruddin, A., Wan Ahmad, W. M. A., Jamayet, N. B., Karobari, M. I., & Alam, M. K. (2020). Assessment of parents’ oral health literacy and its association with caries experience of their preschool children. Children, 7(8), 101. https://doi.org/10.3390/children7080101
Agrasuta, V., Thumbuntu, T., Karawekpanyawong, R., Panichkriangkrai, W., Viriyathorn, S., Reeponmaha, T., ... & Tangcharoensathien, V. (2021). Progressive realisation of universal access to oral health services: what evidence is needed?. BMJ Global Health, 6(7), e006556. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006556
Ahmed, S., Haider, S. M., & Bokhari, S. (2017). Prevalence of oral diseases in pediatric population in Karachi, Pakistan-a cross-sectional survey. J Dent Health Oral Disord Ther, 6(1), 00189.
Albino, J. E., Inglehart, M. R., & Tedesco, L. A. (2012). Dental education and changing oral health care needs: disparities and demands. Journal of Dental Education, 76(1), 75-88. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2012.76.1.tb05236.x
Alshunaiber, R., Alzaid, H., Meaigel, S., Aldeeri, A., & Adlan, A. (2019). Early childhood caries and infant’s oral health; pediatricians’ and family physicians’ practice, knowledge and attitude in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi dental journal, 31, S96-S105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sdentj.2019.01.006
Anil, S., & Anand, P. S. (2017). Early childhood caries: prevalence, risk factors, and prevention. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 5, 157. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2017.00157
Ashkanani, F., & Al-Sane, M. (2013). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers in relation to oral health of preschool children. Medical Principles and Practice, 22(2), 167-172. https://doi.org/10.1159/000341764
Bhatnagar, D. M. (2021). Oral health: A gateway to overall health. Contemporary Clinical Dentistry, 12(3), 211-212. https://doi.org/10.4103/ccd.ccd_597_21
Dawani, N., Nisar, N., Khan, N., Syed, S., & Tanweer, N. (2012). Prevalence and factors related to dental caries among pre-school children of Saddar town, Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study. BMC oral health, 12, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-12-59
Gokhale, N., & Nuvvula, S. (2016). Influence of socioeconomic and working status of the parents on the incidence of their children's dental caries. Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, 7(2), 127. https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0976-9668.184697
Goldberg, E., Eberhard, J., Bauman, A., & Smith, B. J. (2022). Mass media campaigns for the promotion of oral health: a scoping review. BMC Oral Health, 22(1), 182. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-022-02212-3
Habib, M. F., Khan, J., Pervaiz, A., Diba, F., Raisani, S. A., Bashir, N., ... & Yasmin, R. (2023). Oral health status of children age 6-12 years in Rawalpindi, Islamabad Pakistan: Oral Health Status of Children. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 166-169. https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i04.691
Hassan, S. (2022). Oral health assessment in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 02-02. https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v3i05.301
Hiremath, A., Murugaboopathy, V., Ankola, A. V., Hebbal, M., Mohandoss, S., & Pastay, P. (2016). Prevalence of dental caries among primary school children of India–a cross-sectional study. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR, 10(10), ZC47. https://doi.org/10.7860%2FJCDR%2F2016%2F22474.8642
Hsieh, H. J., Huang, S. T., Tsai, C. C., & Hsiao, S. Y. (2014). Toothbrushing habits and risk indicators of severe early childhood caries among aboriginal Taiwanese. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 26(3), 238-247. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539511430721
Iqbal, Z., Ashraf, T., & Ehsan, W. (2022). Knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding oral hygiene and dental caries among children: A systematic review: KAP of mothers regarding oral hygiene and dental caries in children. Pakistan BioMedical Journal, 264-269. https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v5i4.411
Irfan, A., Khan, A., Irfan, A., Mehmood, Z., & Tahir, R. (2023). Effects of Parental Oral Health knowledge on Early Childhood Caries and Oral Health Status of Children 3-5 Years of Age in Abbottabad: Parental Oral Health knowledge on Early Childhood Caries. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 76-80. https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i02.554
Jiang, E. M., Lo, E. C. M., Chu, C. H., & Wong, M. C. M. (2014). Prevention of early childhood caries (ECC) through parental toothbrushing training and fluoride varnish application: a 24-month randomized controlled trial. Journal of dentistry, 42(12), 1543-1550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2014.10.002
Khalid, T., Mahdi, S. S., Khawaja, M., Allana, R., & Amenta, F. (2020). Relationship between socioeconomic inequalities and oral hygiene indicators in private and public schools in Karachi: An observational study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), 8893. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238893
Leghari, M. A. (2014). Association of dental caries and parents knowledge of oral health, A cross-sectional survey of schools of karachi, Pakistan. JPDA, 23(01), 19.
Memon, S., Memon, F., Shahid, H., Khatri, D. R., & Memon, S. A. (2016). Prevalence of Gingivitis in School Children at Different Government Schools of District Hyderabad. Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College, 6(4), 236-240.
Minervini, G., Franco, R., Marrapodi, M. M., Di Blasio, M., Ronsivalle, V., & Cicciù, M. (2023). Children oral health and parents education status: a cross sectional study. BMC Oral Health, 23(1), 787. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03424-x
Mohiuddin, S., Nisar, N., & Dawani, N. (2015). dental caries status among 6 and 12 years old school children of Karachi City. Journal of the Pakistan Dental Association, 24(1), 39-45.
Rebelo, M. A. B., Rebelo Vieira, J. M., Pereira, J. V., Quadros, L. N., & Vettore, M. V. (2019). Does oral health influence school performance and school attendance? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 29(2), 138-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12441
Richter, L., Black, M., Britto, P., Daelmans, B., Desmond, C., Devercelli, A., ... & Vargas-Barón, E. (2019). Early childhood development: an imperative for action and measurement at scale. BMJ global health, 4(Suppl 4), e001302. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001302
Schroth, R. J., Ndayisenga, S., Guenther, K., Marchessault, G., Prowse, S., Hai‐Santiago, K., ... & Manitoba Dental Association. (2016). Parents’ and caregivers’ perspectives on the Manitoba Dental Association's Free First Visit program. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 76(3), 206-212. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphd.12137
Shah, M. A., Darby, M. L., & Bauman, D. B. (2011). Improving oral health in Pakistan using dental hygienists. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 9(1), 43-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00434.x
Shang, X. H., Li, D. L., Huang, Y., Hui, C., & Sun, R. P. (2008). Prevalence of dental caries among preschool children in Shanghe County of Shandong Province and relevant prevention and treatment strategies. Chinese Medical Journal, 121(22), 2246-2249.
Simmer-Beck, M., Wellever, A., & Kelly, P. (2017). Using registered dental hygienists to promote a school-based approach to dental public health. American Journal of Public Health, 107(S1), S56-S60. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303662
Sogi, H. S., Hugar, S. M., Nalawade, T. M., Sinha, A., Hugar, S., & Mallikarjuna, R. M. (2016). Knowledge, attitude, and practices of oral health care in prevention of early childhood caries among parents of children in Belagavi city: A Questionnaire study. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 5(2), 286-290. https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.192332
Tang, R. S., Huang, S. T., Chen, H. S., Hsiao, S. Y., Hu, H. Y., & Chuang, F. H. (2014). The association between oral hygiene behavior and knowledge of caregivers of children with severe early childhood caries. Journal of Dental Sciences, 9(3), 277-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2013.02.025
World Health Organization. (2022). Monitoring progress and acceleration plan for NCDs, including oral health and integrated eye care, in the WHO South-East Asia Region (No. SEA/RC75/8). World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia.
Yalçin, V., & ÖZTÜRK, O. (2022). Dental health in early childhood:" I Can Do It If You Teach. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 9, 856-865. https://doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2022.9.4.763
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
