Parents’ Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Fluoride Use for Their Children
1 Oral Health and Community Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4-6 Eforie St., 050037 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.), (M.A.D.)
2 Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4-6 Eforie St., 050037 Bucharest, Romania
3 Research Methodology-Ergonomics Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4-6 Eforie St., 050037 Bucharest, Romania;
4 Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050098 Bucharest, Romania;
* Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-724-950-104
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 19 Apr 2021 / Revised: 27 Apr 2021 / Accepted: 8 May 2021 / Published: 12 May 2021
Abstract
(1) Background: Parents need an increased level of awareness regarding the role of fluoride in maintaining optimal oral health of their children. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the level of parents’ knowledge and behavior towards fluoride administration in children. (2) Methods: an online self-administered Google Forms questionnaire was used. (3) Results: 73.97% did not administer fluoride products to their children. From 16 parents who have given their child local fluoride products, 15.06% made it on the recommendation of the dentist. In total, 71.23% did not know exactly the importance of using fluoride for optimal oral health of the child. In total, 63.01% did not know the possible side effects of excess fluoride. (4) Conclusions: The dentist has an important role to educate the parents and also their children on the appropriate use of fluoride at home and in dental offices, explaining to them the benefits it brings for optimal oral health status and to motivate patients for adequate oral hygiene, proper diet and regular check-ups.
Keywords: fluoride; knowledge; children; parent’s opinion
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CITE
Cărămidă, M.; Dumitrache, M.A.; Părlătescu, I.; Pîrvu, C.; Tribuș, L. Parents’ Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Fluoride Use for Their Children. Timisoara_Med 2021, 2021, 1.
Cărămidă M, Dumitrache MA, Părlătescu I, Pîrvu C, Tribuș L. Parents’ Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Fluoride Use for Their Children. Timisoara Medical Journal. 2021; 2021(1):1.
Cărămidă, Mariana; Dumitrache, Mihaela Adina; Părlătescu, Ioanina; Pîrvu, Cristina; Tribuș, Laura. 2021. "Parents’ Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Fluoride Use for Their Children." Timisoara_Med 2021, no. 1: 1.
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