Oral Hygiene Knowledge among Parents of Primary Schoolchildren Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Globally, oral diseases are recognized as one of the most widespread non-communicable disease burdens, and healthy oral hygiene habits are best established in early life. Parents play an important role in shaping children's oral hygiene routines, dietary behaviours, and use of dental services. Aim: This study assessed oral hygiene knowledge among parents of primary school-going children attending a tertiary-care hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department of selected Hospital in Dhaka city. A total of 200 parents were selected by using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics and oral hygiene domains, including tooth-cleaning frequency and duration, brushing technique, toothbrush and toothpaste, fluoride, mouthwash, interdental cleaning, dental attendance, and dietary habits. Correct responses were assigned a score of 1, whereas incorrect or unanswered responses were scored 0. Knowledge level was categorized using Bloom's cut-off criteria (Good ≥80%, Fair 60-79%, Poor <60%). Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among the 200 respondents, 51.0% had completed higher secondary education. Toothbrush and toothpaste were reported as the main tooth-cleaning method by 91.5% of respondents. Only 34.5% reported brushing twice daily, while 5.5% selected 2-3 minutes as the brushing duration, and 30.5% did not know a brushing technique. More than half (53.0%) did not know whether their toothpaste contained fluoride, and 95.0% did not know its preventive purpose. Only 27.5% identified sweetened foods as a cause of dental decay, whereas 58.5% did not know. Overall, 26.0% of respondents had poor knowledge, 43.0% had fair knowledge, and 31.0% had good knowledge. Good knowledge showed a descriptive increase with higher educational attainment. Conclusion: Substantial gaps were identified in parents' knowledge of tooth brushing, fluoride toothpaste, interdental cleaning, and dietary risks. Parent-focused oral-health education, integrated with school- and community-based oral-health services, may help strengthen preventive practices. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because the study used a single-centre purposive sample and the original research report contains some internal data inconsistencies.