Assessment of Awareness of Parents on Importance of Dental Care in Pediatric Patients in Ethnic Tamil Population

Abstract

The character of a child is built upon his observations from the immediate environment which is basically
composed of his family. Parents play an important role in not only the upbringing of the child but basically
in instilling the basic principles of hygiene.
Materials and Method: Questionnaire study were conducted and parents of children between 3-12 years
were included in the study. The Questionnaire was prepared in accordance with National Oral Health Care
Survey guidelines.
Results: 180 participants were included in the study around 67.8% of the patients had never had any dental
treatment or check up performed before. Many of the parents were not aware of the various risk factors
involved in the causation of dental caries.
Conclusion: Parents play an important role in prevention various dental related problems in children. Lack
of awareness about the various oral hygiene measures and prophylactic treatments in parents will expose
their child to an increased predisposition to dental caries.