Knowledge of parents regarding early childhood caries prevention among preschool children in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study

Background: Dental caries in preschool children remains a widespread public health concern globally, particularly in developing countries. Thus, assessing parents/guardians’ knowledge and identifying associated factors remain essential for guiding health professionals in developing effective early childhood caries (ECC) prevention programs. This study evaluated the level of knowledge among parents/guardians in Brazzaville regarding ECC prevention, examined demographic factors associated with their knowledge and explored the availability of oral health information during pediatric visits. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among parents/guardians of medically healthy children attending the Department of Stomatology at the Mother-Child Specialized Hospital Blanche Gomes in Brazzaville between September 2023 and July 2024. The participants were invited to complete a structured questionnaire, assessing their demographic information, knowledge on the etiology and prevention of ECC, awareness of dental floss use in children and the availability of oral health information provided during pediatric consultations. Each knowledge-based question had a single correct response, with one point awarded per correct answer. Results: A total of 120 parents/guardians completed the questionnaire. Among them, only 23 (19.2%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding dental caries and ECC risk factors. While most participants (95%) correctly identified the optimal brushing frequency, significant knowledge gaps were observed regarding the appropriate age for initiating tooth brushing, the person responsible for a child’s oral hygiene, and the recommended brushing duration. None of the participants showed a high level of knowledge on oral health education and dietary habits. Notably, parents/guardians working in the medical field had significantly better knowledge about ECC and its riks factors compared to teachers/academics (p = 0.023). Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted ECC prevention programs in Brazzaville. Strengthening parental/guardian knowledge through public health initiatives is needed to improve oral health outcomes in preschool children.