title: An exploratory study of parental knowledge of early childhood oral health care in Southland, New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective was to clearly assess the oral health care knowledge of Southland parents. The secondary objective was to identify whether inequalities exist between parents with different ethnicity, education or income.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory study based on a simple online/ paper questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited through Southland early childcare centres. Researchers contacted 115 centres, 66 agreed to participate and 58 returned questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were distributed to each centre to be completed by the parents. The questionnaire was able to be completed online or as a paper copy. Centres were supplied with dental brochures, which were distributed after the questionnaires were returned. Questionnaires were collated and the responses analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six hundred and seventy questionnaires were returned, 213 online and 457 paper copies. The typical participant was a mother (93.9%), age 34 years (median), a non-smoker (86.3%), non-Maori (87.1%), with a university degree (33.9%) and an annual household income between $60,001 and $100,000 (36.5%). Twenty of the 47 questions were selected to reflect parental knowledge. Overall, 65.1% of the respondents answered all 20 questions correctly. Differences in knowledge were identified between mothers and other participants (65.4% vs. 59.4%), smokers and non-smokers (61.3% vs. 65.7%), Maori and non-Maori (61.6% vs. 65.6%) and education level (Primary 58.0% vs. Degree 68.7%) (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed differences in knowledge in early childhood oral health care. Participants who identified as non-mothers (fathers, step-fathers, legal care givers or other), smokers, Maori or low education displayed significantly less knowledge. Further education and oral health care promotion may be needed to improve this disparity.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Densie
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000208:ethnology; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010865:Pilot Projects; D044382:Population Groups; D012907:Smoking; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000502:physiology; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides