The Impact of Parental Education on Oral Hygiene Practices in Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Oral hygiene practices during childhood are strongly influenced by parental knowledge, attitude, and educational status.

Objective: To assess the impact of parental education on oral hygiene practices among children.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at department  of Dentistry of Shahida Islam Dental College, Lodhran from June 2024 to December  2025, included 255 children and their parents. Demographic details, parental educational status, socioeconomic status, brushing frequency, use of fluoridated toothpaste, parental supervision during brushing, dental visit history, and sugary food intake were recorded using a structured questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of children was 8.74 ± 2.11 years. Most parents had secondary education, 108 (42.4%), followed by primary education, 79 (31.0%), and higher education, 68 (26.7%). Twice-daily brushing was significantly higher among children of parents with higher education, 40 (58.8%), compared with secondary, 43 (39.8%), and primary education, 18 (22.8%) (p<0.001). Use of fluoridated toothpaste was also higher among children of highly educated parents, 57 (83.8%), compared with secondary, 76 (70.4%), and primary education, 39 (49.4%) (p<0.001). Good oral hygiene was observed in 41 (60.3%) children of highly educated parents compared with 42 (38.9%) in secondary and 16 (20.3%) in primary education groups.

Conclusion: It is concluded that parental education significantly influences oral hygiene practices among children. Higher parental education was associated with better brushing habits, greater use of fluoridated toothpaste, improved parental supervision, regular dental visits, and better overall oral hygiene status.