Maribel Bauzon-Catungal1 and Maria Lourdes E. Cantor2
1 Graduate School
University of Baguio, Baguio City, Philippines
2 Adviser, School of Dentistry
University of Baguio, Baguio City, Philippines
Abstract
Family creates an environment necessary for a healthy lifestyle, increases self-confidence, and helps habit formation. Parental knowledge and practices toward oral hygiene have an impact on the formation of children’s oral hygiene and oral diseases since lack of these results in the development of dental caries and other oral problems. Given these, the researcher aimed to determine the level of knowledge and extent of practices of parents/guardians on caries prevention. This descriptive survey study was conducted among thirty (30) parents/guardians, with five to six-year-old kindergarten schoolchildren of Barangay Inmalog Sur, San Fabian, Pangasinan. Scores were gathered from the questionnaires to obtain the level of knowledge and the extent of the practice of the parents/guardians. The respondents are well informed about the role of sweets in causing caries and that there is a time to change the toothbrush. The respondents are also aware of the effect of fluorides in preventing caries. The parents/guardians have a moderate level of knowledge on caries prevention, which means that they still have a lot to learn about it. The level of knowledge of caries prevention is not affected by age. Majority of the respondents often practice caries prevention techniques, which means that there is a need to motivate them further to improve their caries prevention practices. The extent of practice on caries prevention is significantly different across ages. Younger ages may tend to contribute to a greater extent of practice on caries prevention. Knowledge and practice on caries prevention have a moderate relationship. Knowledge and practice are significantly correlated with each other.
Keywords: caries prevention, oral health, knowledge, the extent of the practice, parents/guardians
