Mothers’ Awareness about the Presence of the First Permanent Molars Teeth in Kurdistan, Iraq

Introduction The first permanent molar erupts at age 6-7, posterior to the second deciduous molar teeth.Since the painless eruption of first permanent molars and with no primary tooth loss, mothers suspect permanent teeth emerge after all deciduous teeth are exfoliated, consider the first permanent molar as a deciduous tooth, and are unconcerned about their health.Objectives To evaluate the mothers' awareness and knowledge about the eruption time of the first permanent molar in the Kurdistan region, Iraq.Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 Kurdish children aged 6-12 years with their mothers in Erbil and Duhok cities, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.A cross-sectional random sampling was done.Questionnaires were filled out by the mothers, and the first permanent molar condition was registered in dental clinics.Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26, a T-test to compare the variables measured with a statistical significance of p 0.05.Results The results showed a significant relationship between the mother's level of education and their awareness of first permanent molar teeth (P= 0.000) and between first permanent molar status and brushing (P= 0.00).A non-significant correlation existed between the mother's awareness and the first permanent molar status (P = 0.11).There was a significant difference between FMP status concerning brushing (P = 0.00), eating snacks (P = 0.04), and regular and irregular dental visits (P =0.01).Conclusion Parents lack awareness of the presence of the first permanent molar.Therefore, parent awareness of the first permanent molar eruption age and caries prevention techniques is important.