CONHECIMENTO MATERNO SOBRE OS CUIDADOS BUCAIS DAS CRIANÇAS NA PRIMEIRA INFÂNCIA

Maternal knowledge about children’s oral care in early childhood

Abstract

Introduction: Regarding oral care in childhood, it is observed that oral hygiene habits are established during this period. Therefore, parents play an important role in the education of their children, by providing the necessary oral care to them, in the pre- and neonatal periods, a significant result is observed in injuries prevention. Objective: To verify maternal knowledge about children’s oral care in early childhood. Methodology: This is a quantitative, exploratory and observational study. Data were collected through the application of a semi-structured questionnaire, with questions about maternal knowledge regarding oral hygiene, eating habits, caries involvement and socioeconomic profile. A descriptive data analysis was performed, followed by a bivariate analysis, using Pearson's chi-square test, considering a 5% significance level. Results: Regarding mothers' knowledge about their children's oral care, it was unsatisfactory in relation to the age at which children should start brushing their teeth by themselves; regarding the use of a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste as hygiene methods, after the first tooth’s eruption, and regarding the absence of the deciduous tooth before the permanent molars eruption. Satisfactory knowledge was observed regarding the importance of carrying out restoration in decayed deciduous teeth; the age at which children begin to change deciduous teeth for permanent ones and, carrying out some oral care (fabric and gauze) before the first tooth’s eruption. Conclusions: There is a gap in the oral health guidelines provided by dentists, aimed to mothers. The mothers/pregnant women have sufficient knowledge about their baby's oral care, but considering the oral care after the first tooth eruption, the results were critical. It is necessary a greater participation of the dentist in prenatal and growth and development consultations, practicing Health Education. 

Keywords: Oral Health; Child Care; Knowledge.