Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Parents on Fluorides in the Prevention of Dental Caries in Children In Yaounde

Abstract

Introduction: Fluoride exposure plays an important role in preventing and lowering the incidence of cavities with strong evidence for water and fluoride toothpaste. The preventative effect of fluoride on dental caries results from its topical contact with the surface of the enamel and through its antibacterial properties. The influence of fluoride on the oral health of children is at several levels. Studies have shown that parents have a low level of knowledge about the essential role of fluorides on teeth. The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge, identify attitudes and determine parental practices regarding fluorides in the prevention of dental caries in children.

Methods: This study was transversal CAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) with a descriptive aim. The source population consisted of parents of children aged 2 to 12 livings in Yaoundé who had given their consent. The sampling was consecutive. Collection was done using a 33-item questionnaire. It thus made it possible to collect socio-demographic data, parents’ knowledge of fluorides, their attitudes regarding the importance of fluorides in preventing dental caries, their practices on the use of fluorinated substances and finally to collect their expectations. The collected data was entered and analyzed in SPSS software version 26.0. The statistical test used was Chi-square to look for associations between variables, results with a p-value less than 5% were considered statistically significant.

Results: 68% of the parents recruited were women. The sex ratio was a sex ratio of 0.46. The median age was 32. Half of our sample had reached a higher level of education; 44.3% of parents were married. 40% of parents were self-employed, 30% were working employees. 74.7% of parents defined decay as the hole in the tooth, while 3% had no idea. Most parents cited sweets as its main cause at a rate of 92.3%. 93.3% of parents agreed that there was a possibility of prevention. 76.8% of parents had heard of fluoride. 66.4% of parents cited “strengthening the tooth” as the role of fluoride. 97% recognized the role they had to play in their children’s dental health. 36% of parents did not take any precautions to avoid fluoride overdose.

Conclusion: The majority of parents had an average knowledge of the use of fluoride in preventing tooth decay, with rough attitudes, and harmful practices.