Awareness among Young Parents about Preventive Aspects of Early Childhood Caries in Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common disease affecting very young children in today’s era. The prevention of ECC depends upon the vital information parents are available with during the upbringing of the child. Aim: This survey was undertaken to evaluate the awareness among parents about preventive aspects of ECC in Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A questionnaire study was conducted among young parents about preventive aspects of ECC in Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics was used to observe the awareness. Results: A total of 157 parents participated in the study of which 126 were mothers and 31 fathers. The mean age of the parents participating in the study was 34 years, and 55% of the participants had education till the university level. About half (53%) of the parents were unaware that the child should be taken for the first dental visit by 1 year of age. Around 60% of the participants had taken their children to the dentist only when the dental problem was in persistence and 48% of the participants allowed their child to sleep with milk bottle or juice in their mouth. Conclusion: Hence, it can be concluded that the parents in Abha, KSA, are moderately aware of dental needs of their young children.