1
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2
Dentist, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increased dental caries and dental lesions have made preventive measures, especially among children, inevitable. This study investigated elementary schoolgirls’ mothers’ level of knowledge on preventive methods against dental caries. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, mothers of 250 schoolgirls were randomly selected from five regions of Tehran, Iran. Their knowledge about fissure sealant therapy and fluoride therapy was evaluated using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance and independent t-tests in SPSS. RESULTS: Mothers’ knowledge about fissure sealant therapy was lower than fluoride therapy. Very low, low, and moderate levels of knowledge were detected among nearly a quarter, 47.5%, and 22.6% of the participants, respectively. Only 5.4% of the subjects had acceptable level of knowledge on preventive dentistry methods. There were significant correlations between mothers' level of knowledge and their education level and occupational status. CONCLUSION: Educated mothers and working mothers had greater knowledge than did housewives. Dentists have a crucial role in increasing mothers' knowledge.
Baradaran Nakhjavani, Y., Forutan, S., & Baradaran Nakhjavani, F. (2013). Mothers’ knowledge about fluoride therapy and fissure sealants. Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology, 2(1), 1-5.
MLA
Yahya Baradaran Nakhjavani; Soulmaz Forutan; Farid Baradaran Nakhjavani. "Mothers’ knowledge about fluoride therapy and fissure sealants". Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology, 2, 1, 2013, 1-5.
HARVARD
Baradaran Nakhjavani, Y., Forutan, S., Baradaran Nakhjavani, F. (2013). 'Mothers’ knowledge about fluoride therapy and fissure sealants', Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology, 2(1), pp. 1-5.
VANCOUVER
Baradaran Nakhjavani, Y., Forutan, S., Baradaran Nakhjavani, F. Mothers’ knowledge about fluoride therapy and fissure sealants. Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology, 2013; 2(1): 1-5.