Parents’ Awareness towards First Permanent Molars and its Effect on Caries Experience among Children

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  • Mustafa W. Al-Kubaisi
  • Basma Abdulbari Aziz
  • Huda M. Al-Badri
  • Zainab M. Mansi Lecturer, College of Dentistry, Dijlah university, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/d3000.2026.1599

Klíčová slova:

Dental Caries, DMFT, Oral Health Education, Mandibular Molars

Abstrakt

The first permanent molars (FPMs) are important for the establishment of occlusion and long-term oral health, but they are also very susceptible to early caries because of their early emergence and the frequent confusion by parents. This study aimed to assess parents' knowledge of FPMs and how it correlated with their level of education and their children's caries experiences in Baghdad, Iraq, between ages of 6 and 9. 305 students and their parents were surveyed in a cross-sectional study that carried out in Baghdad's public and private schools. A uniform Arabic questionnaire measuring sociodemographic traits was used for collecting data. Oral health behaviours, and FPM-related knowledge. The DMFT index was used in clinical tests to evaluate FPMs' caries experience. Using logistic and multivariate linear regression models, associations were investigated. While 19.4% of parents were able to identify the anatomical position of FPMs, only 39.1% were able to accurately determine when they would erupt. Lower DMFT scores in children were significantly associated with higher levels of parental education (p < 0.05). The associations between parental education and FPM-specific knowledge and oral health behaviors were insignificant, nevertheless. There were significant gaps in specific knowledge about FPMs, despite the fact reported toothbrushing was common. The lack of a strong association between parental knowledge of FPMs and educational attainment highlights the importance of school-based oral health programs to minimize the risk of early caries and enhance children's future outcomes.

Stahování

Publikováno

2026-09-22

Číslo

Vol 14 No 2 (2026)

Sekce

Adults & the Elderly

Licence

Copyright (c) 2026 Mustafa W. Al-Kubaisi, Basma Abdulbari Aziz, Huda M. Al-Badri, Zainab M. Mansi

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