Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey

Objectives This study aimed to explore the relationship between oral health and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of parents and teachers of kindergarten students towards oral health.Design This web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ningbo City from February 2023 to March 2023...

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Main Authors: Liang Wang, Jiayan Fan, Hongyan Gao, Jijun Chen, Yuyuan Shi, Danhua Ma, Xinyu Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-06-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/6/e089404.full
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author Liang Wang
Jiayan Fan
Hongyan Gao
Jijun Chen
Yuyuan Shi
Danhua Ma
Xinyu Xia
author_facet Liang Wang
Jiayan Fan
Hongyan Gao
Jijun Chen
Yuyuan Shi
Danhua Ma
Xinyu Xia
author_sort Liang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Objectives This study aimed to explore the relationship between oral health and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of parents and teachers of kindergarten students towards oral health.Design This web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ningbo City from February 2023 to March 2023.Setting The study targets parents and teachers of kindergarten students in Ningbo City (five kindergartens selected using convenience sampling). The research aimed to explore the relationships between oral health practices, knowledge and attitudes among parents and teachers.Participants A total of 540 valid questionnaires were collected from parents and teachers. Clear definitions of selection, entry and exclusion criteria were followed to ensure comprehensive data collection.Outcome measures Assessment of oral health KAP among parents and teachers and correlation between KAP levels and students’ oral hygiene habits.Results Key findings include comparatively high levels of oral health knowledge among parents (7.29±1.74), positive attitudes towards oral health (23.69±2.97), and commendable practices (51.92±4.76). The structural equation model suggested a direct positive influence of attitude (β=0.27, p<0.001) and knowledge (β=0.51, p<0.001) on practice. Daily habits were also influenced indirectly by both attitude (β=0.10, p<0.001) and knowledge (β=0.20, p<0.001).Conclusions The study underscores the significant effect of parents’ and teachers’ KAP on kindergarten students’ oral health. The unknown representativeness of the sample necessitates caution in generalisation; nonetheless, the findings highlight the importance of enhancing oral health education and implementing targeted interventions to improve hygiene practices, with the potential to decrease dental caries prevalence among children. Collaborative efforts are essential in promoting effective oral health practices among young populations.
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issn 2044-6055
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series BMJ Open
spelling doaj-art-7ce495f622d24877bca3fbf0ff388e152025-08-20T03:30:49ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-06-0115610.1136/bmjopen-2024-089404Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional surveyLiang Wang0Jiayan Fan1Hongyan Gao2Jijun Chen3Yuyuan Shi4Danhua Ma5Xinyu Xia6Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaObjectives This study aimed to explore the relationship between oral health and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of parents and teachers of kindergarten students towards oral health.Design This web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ningbo City from February 2023 to March 2023.Setting The study targets parents and teachers of kindergarten students in Ningbo City (five kindergartens selected using convenience sampling). The research aimed to explore the relationships between oral health practices, knowledge and attitudes among parents and teachers.Participants A total of 540 valid questionnaires were collected from parents and teachers. Clear definitions of selection, entry and exclusion criteria were followed to ensure comprehensive data collection.Outcome measures Assessment of oral health KAP among parents and teachers and correlation between KAP levels and students’ oral hygiene habits.Results Key findings include comparatively high levels of oral health knowledge among parents (7.29±1.74), positive attitudes towards oral health (23.69±2.97), and commendable practices (51.92±4.76). The structural equation model suggested a direct positive influence of attitude (β=0.27, p<0.001) and knowledge (β=0.51, p<0.001) on practice. Daily habits were also influenced indirectly by both attitude (β=0.10, p<0.001) and knowledge (β=0.20, p<0.001).Conclusions The study underscores the significant effect of parents’ and teachers’ KAP on kindergarten students’ oral health. The unknown representativeness of the sample necessitates caution in generalisation; nonetheless, the findings highlight the importance of enhancing oral health education and implementing targeted interventions to improve hygiene practices, with the potential to decrease dental caries prevalence among children. Collaborative efforts are essential in promoting effective oral health practices among young populations.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/6/e089404.full
spellingShingle Liang Wang
Jiayan Fan
Hongyan Gao
Jijun Chen
Yuyuan Shi
Danhua Ma
Xinyu Xia
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey
BMJ Open
title Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey
title_full Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey
title_short Knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students: a cross-sectional survey
title_sort knowledge attitude and practice towards oral health in parents and teachers of kindergarten students a cross sectional survey
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/6/e089404.full
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