Results
Title

Assessment of parental awareness about malocclusion in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Authors

Danaei, S. Momeni; Oshagh, M.; Pajuhi, N.; Ghahremani, Y.; Bushehri, S. Ghodsi

Abstract

Information empowers people to take charge of their health. The aim of this study in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran was to evaluate parents' knowledge about dental malocclusion, referral routes and information sources. A random sample of 1000 7-9-year-old schoolchildren were given a questionnaire to complete at home. Questionnaires were completed by 795 parents. Knowledge about malocclusion was significantly greater in families with higher levels of education and income. Most respondents (83.5%) were aware of the importance of maintaining primary teeth to prevent malocclusion, and 25.1% thought that carious primary teeth must be extracted. Half of the parents (50.6%) did not know that spaces between primary teeth are normal. Only 28.8% of the children visited dentists for annual routine check-ups. Television (43.3%) was the most common source of dental information. The level of general public awareness about malocclusion needs to be improved.

Subjects

IRAN; ANALYSIS of variance; CHILDREN'S dental care; CLUSTER analysis (Statistics); MALOCCLUSION in children; MEDICAL referrals; MEDICINE information services; PSYCHOLOGY of parents; RESEARCH funding; STATISTICAL sampling; CONSUMER information services; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; EDUCATIONAL attainment; HEALTH literacy

Publication

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2011, Vol 17, Issue 7, p599

ISSN

1020-3397

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.26719/2011.17.7.599