Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42326312›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Knowledge and Awareness of Children's Oral Health Among Parents in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed A Alzubaidi, Bandar S Shukr, Fahad S Algahtani, Amith Hv, Muhannad Alamri, Rayan S Almalki, Mohanna M Alharthi, Talal Alotaibi, Abdullah Almalki, Mohammed Althagafi

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Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Mohammed A AlzubaidiDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Bandar S ShukrDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Fahad S AlgahtaniDepartment of Restorative Dental Science , Faculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Amith HvPublic Health Dentistry, Triveni Institution of Dental Sciences, Hospital & Research Center, Bilaspur, IND.
Muhannad AlamriFaculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Rayan S AlmalkiFaculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Mohanna M AlharthiFaculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Talal AlotaibiFaculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Abdullah AlmalkiFaculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Mohammed AlthagafiFaculty of Dentistry, Taif University, Taif, SAU.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo assess parental knowledge and awareness of children's oral health in Taif City, Saudi Arabia, and to identify demographic factors associated with preventive oral health practices.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered Arabic questionnaire distributed electronically to parents of children aged 3-12 years in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics and parental knowledge and awareness of children's oral health. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including adjusted multiple linear regression analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from Taif University, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

resultsA total of 352 parents participated (response rate: 100%). Most respondents had a college education or higher (61.1%). The overall mean oral health knowledge score was 5.38 ± 1.77 SD out of 10. Participants demonstrated the highest level of awareness regarding the relationship between oral and systemic health (94.9%), the definition of dental calculus (80.1%), the role of fluoride in caries prevention (70.7%), and the influence of primary teeth on permanent dentition (64.2%). In contrast, knowledge gaps were identified in the number of primary teeth (34.4%), the effect of plaque on gingival health (29.5%), toothbrush replacement frequency (22.4%), and the ideal brushing duration (51.4%). Significant associations with oral health awareness were found for monthly income (p = 0.023) and employment status (p = 0.004; 0.006), while education level and number of children did not significantly influence awareness.

conclusionParents in Taif demonstrated moderate overall knowledge of pediatric oral health, with high awareness of oral-systemic health links and fluoride, but notable gaps in toothbrush replacement frequency, plaque understanding, and primary teeth awareness. Socioeconomic factors, particularly monthly income and employment status, significantly influenced parental oral health awareness. Targeted parental education programs addressing these specific knowledge gaps are needed to improve children's oral health outcomes.

Indexed as

dental cariesdental plaquefluorideoral hygiene practicesparental awarenesspediatric oral healthpreventive dentistryprimary teethsaudi arabiataif

Identifiers

PMID42326312
PMCPMC13283010

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.