Abstract:
Background: Mothers during the antenatal period can influence children's oral health through good hygiene and preventative care, preventing early childhood caries. Preschool oral health programs prioritize preschool children's care for future oral health.
The aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude of Benghazi's antenatal (pregnant) women on preventing early childhood caries.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted on expectant mothers using a structured questionnaire in Benghazi. The questionnaire, designed in Canada and validated in Benghazi, consists of four sections: socio-demographic characteristics
for pregnant mothers, oral hygiene knowledge, attitude towards dietary oral health, and preventive dental attendance for children .
Results: Out of 375 participants, 303 first-time pregnant women and those with prior children, aged between ≤ 20 and 50, provided their responses for the study. Most participants had university-level education (66%) and agreed that children need assistance with brushing (P
0.001), and that toothpaste-containing fluoride helps prevent tooth decay (P 0.001). Working mothers were more aware of the importance of fluoride in toothpaste (56.8%). Housewife mothers were more likely to brush their children's teeth once a day (55.7%) (and change their toothbrush irregularly (44.7%). Working mothers were more likely to agree on the importance of regular dental examinations every six months to prevent tooth decay (81.5%).
Conclusion: Mothers during antenatal period frequently don't know what causes dental caries, when to take their child to the dentist for the first time, or how nursing affects tooth decay.
