Analysis of Oral Health Status among Children Aged 3~12 Years in Rural Shandong and Their Parents’ Current Knowledge and Needs Regarding Oral Healthcare

目的：调查乡镇地区3~12岁儿童口腔健康及家长对口腔健康知识掌握情况、监督管理情况的现状、需求并提出对策，为提高儿童及家长口腔健康相关知识，促使其采取正确的行为，降低口腔疾病的发生提供依据。方法：于2024年8月到2024年10月期间，在山东省某地进行问卷调查，内容包括4部分，儿童口腔健康状况；家长对儿童口腔健康知识的掌握情况；家长对儿童口腔保健行为的监督管理情况以及期望的知识科普形式。采用SPSS26.0软件对儿童口腔健康状况及家长口腔保健知识的认知进行统计分析。结果：儿童口腔健康问题呈现多维度复合特征，其中，口腔粘膜病变占比57.1%，牙痛发生率为54.6%，进食功能受损与牙龈出血均占46.2%，牙齿色泽异常占比45.3%，龋齿占比37.2%。家长口腔健康知识掌握程度高，达到92.3%，但对操作细节掌握程度下降，只有51.4%。通过单因素分析得知，家长年龄、与孩子关系、家长性别对儿童口腔健康无显著影响(P值均>0.05)；而孩子年龄对儿童口腔健康情况有显著影响(P = 0.013 Objective: To investigate the current status and needs of oral health among children aged 3~12 years in rural areas, as well as parents’ knowledge of oral health and their supervision practices. The study aims to provide a basis for enhancing oral health knowledge among children and parents, promoting correct behaviors, and reducing the incidence of oral diseases. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in a region of Shandong Province from August to October 2024. The questionnaire covered four areas: children’s oral health status, parents’ knowledge of oral health, supervision of children’s oral hygiene practices, and preferred methods for health education. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis of children’s oral health status and parents’ oral health knowledge. Results: Children’s oral health issues exhibited multidimensional complexity: oral mucosal lesions (57.1%), toothache (54.6%), impaired chewing function (46.2%), gingival bleeding (46.2%), abnormal tooth color (45.3%), and dental caries (37.2%). While 92.3% of parents demonstrated high overall knowledge of oral health, only 51.4% understood detailed operational practices. Univariate analysis revealed no significant effects of parental age, relationship to the child, or parental gender on children’s oral health (*P* > 0.05). However, the child’s age significantly impacted oral health (*P* = 0.013 < 0.05), with health status declining as age increased. Correlation analysis showed almost no linear relationship between children’s oral health and parents’ knowledge (correlation coefficient = 0.081), but a weak positive correlation existed between children’s oral health and parental supervision (coefficient = 0.237), indicating that stronger supervision correlated with better oral health. This highlights gaps in consistent supervision and behavioral implementation. Conclusion: Improving children’s oral health is closely linked to enhanced parental supervision. Oral health education for parents should emphasize refined operational details, professional knowledge, and the critical role of supervision.