title: Attitude of parents of disabled children towards dental visits in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the attitude of parents of disabled children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia towards dental visits. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required information. A total of 315 parents, 70 (22.2%) fathers and 245 (77.8%) mothers completed the questionnaire. Almost all (99.0%) the parents were aware that regular dental check-ups are important in maintaining good dental health. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the parents were of the opinion that one must visit a dentist every six months for dental check-up; and some (17.8%) even every three months. However, 83 (26.3%) children had never visited a dentist. Only nine (2.8%) children had visited a dentist for first dental check-up by the age of three years. A significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of parents with "secondary school or higher" education (69.7%) were of the opinion that one should visit a dentist every six months as compared to parents with "middle school or lower" education (57.3%). About one-fourth of the older age groups (25.6% in 6-10 years old and 24.5% in > or = 11 years old) made their last visit to a dentist due to pain as compared with about one in every ten children (11.1%) in younger age group. The children with mental retardation had the highest percentage (81.5%) among those who had visited a dentist followed by cerebral palsy children (79.2%) and Downs syndrome children (68.4%). It can be concluded that the parents' attitude towards importance of regular visit in their disabled children is positive. However, there is a need to inform them about the importance of early first dental visit, and establishing a support mechanism to utilize their positive attitude.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Dentistry, King Saud University College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Amjad H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Wyne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires