AWARENESS OF MOTHERS TOWARDS ORAL HYGIENE OF THEIR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN ISMAILIA CITY-EGYPT: A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY

Background and Aim: Appropriate oral wellness is essential for proper physicalgrowth and social development with self-trust and early attention being given forpreschool age children oral health is crucial to avoid later dental problems. Maternalknowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding this issue is a cornerstone in properimplantation of dental hygiene aspects and also to transfer such attitude and practices totheir offspring. Therefore, evaluating mothers’ oral health-related behaviors, attitudes,and knowledge was the current study’s goal. Methods: A cross-sectional survey wasconducted using a questionnaire administered to 250 mothers of preschool childrenaged 3 to 5 years. These children were enrolled in both public and private schools inIsmailia City, Egypt, and were accompanied by their mothers. Data collection involvedinterviews using systematic forms. Results: Over half of the participants (53.2%)demonstrated inadequate practices. Additionally, 46% showed only a fair attitude,and 39.2% of the mothers lacked sufficient knowledge regarding their children’soral hygiene. Conclusion: The findings indicate that many mothers have inadequateknowledge and practices related to their children’s dental hygiene, contributing to awidespread prevalence of poor oral health behaviors.