Evaluation of awareness of mothers about individual and environmental risk factors of dental trauma and prevention in 8-12 year-old children and their relationship with children's daily life

Mothers have a great role in the oro-dental health of their children and prevention of related diseases and dental traumas. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of mothers about individual and environmental risk factors of dental trauma and prevention in 8-12 year-old children and their relationship with children’s daily life.

Five hundred fifty-six mothers of 8-12 year-old elementary schoolchildren in Isfahan completed a questionnaire on awareness about environmental risk factors and prevention of dental traumas, how to preserve and transfer avulsed teeth, and first aid in dental traumas. One hundred of these students were examined for oral health status, oral traumas and their effect on daily routines. Data was analyzed by chi-squared test, ANOVA, and t-test using SPSS 11.5 software(α=0.05).

Means and standard deviations of awareness of mothers was 8.9±3.13. There was a statistically significant relationships between mothers’ dental trauma awareness and educational level and sources of dental trauma information (p value = 0.016 and p value = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant relationship between mothers’ knowledge and occupational status and dental trauma reaction speed (p value = 0.154 and p value = 0.636, respectively). Furthermore, the relationship between the effect of oro-dental health on children’s daily routines and mothers’ awareness was significant (p value = 0.001).

Awareness of mothers about dental trauma and individual and environmental risk factors and preventive modalities was poor. Oro-dental health had a significant effect on children’s daily routines, including schooling, eating, social relations, rest, sleep and tooth brushing.