Research Information System
Fluoride, vol.55, no.4, pp.352-362, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of the parents of children living in Uşak province about oral health, preventive applications and fluoride via a questionnaire. A cross sectional study was carried out to 263 parents who applied to health centers in center of Uşak, Turkey, in 2020. A 22-item questionnaire was delivered on a face to face interview basis. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21.0 version (IBM corporation, Chicago, USA) with Chi-square, Mann Whitney U, and Spearman’s rho tests. The level of statistical significance used in this study was chosen at p<0.05.There is a significant correlation between gender and knowledge abouta fluoride and fissure sealants (p=0.002, p=0.001) and positive correlation between the socioeconomic status and having knowledge about fluoride and fissure sealant (p<0.001). As the socioeconomic status increases, getting information from the dentist decreases, while getting information from the internet and social media decreases. There was a positive correlation between education and tooth brushing frequency, tooth brushing education, having knowledge about fluoride and fissure sealant but there was no correlation between education and cariogenic diet and using fluoridated toothpaste. There was statistically positive correlation between frequency of going to the dentist and socioeconomic status (p<0.001). There was also a significant relationship between the educational status and the use of fluoridated toothpaste and controlling the brushing of their child (p=0.001, p=0.003). Parental knowledge of preventive practices is not sufficient according to the results. Parents should be informed about brushing and preventive practices as children’s oral and dental health is often aligned with that of their parents.