Demographic characteristics, oral health knowledge and practices of mothers of children aged 5 years and under referred for extraction of teeth under general anaesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the demographic characteristics, oral health knowledge and practices of mothers of children who required the extraction of teeth under general anaesthesia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using questionnaires completed at interview.


METHODS
150 mothers of children age 5 years and under who had been referred for extraction of teeth under general anaesthesia.


METHODS
Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine.


RESULTS
Over three-quarters of mothers had finished their full-time education at or before the age of 16 years. Although generally well-informed about the causes of caries, mothers were less sure of preventative methods. There was a widespread ignorance of the causes and prevention of periodontal disease, with just under half of the sample being unable to identify any causative or preventive factors. 40% of the sample admitted to attending a dentist only when in pain or not at all.
Hood
C A
CA
Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.
Hunter
M L
ML
Kingdon
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data