Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background The use of ultrasonography in pediatric dentistry has gained attention due to its safety, diagnostic versatility, and ability to minimize radiation exposure in children. This study aimed to evaluate parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the use of ultrasonograp...

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Main Authors: Burcin Avci, Sema Kaya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06548-4
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author Burcin Avci
Sema Kaya
author_facet Burcin Avci
Sema Kaya
author_sort Burcin Avci
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The use of ultrasonography in pediatric dentistry has gained attention due to its safety, diagnostic versatility, and ability to minimize radiation exposure in children. This study aimed to evaluate parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the use of ultrasonographic imaging in pediatric dentistry. Methods This cross-sectional study included the parents of 347 children aged 1 to 13 years who attended the pediatric dentistry clinic of a public dental school in Van, eastern Turkey. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a 27-item questionnaire covering parents’ demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about ultrasonography. Chi-square and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Results Parents’ knowledge and attitudes varied significantly by educational level and gender. Those with higher education levels demonstrated greater awareness and positive attitudes toward ultrasonography in dentistry. Female parents showed a greater preference than male parents for using ultrasonography in their children’s dental treatment. Correlation analyses revealed strong positive associations among knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, and health literacy scores (r = 0.764–0.923, p < 0.001). Conclusions Although parents generally held positive attitudes toward ultrasonography in pediatric dentistry, their level of knowledge was limited. Educational level and gender significantly influenced parental knowledge and health literacy. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to support informed participation in dental diagnostics.
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spelling doaj-art-e9900416cdbc40878faf7a46e3bbe7f32025-08-20T03:41:57ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-07-0125111210.1186/s12903-025-06548-4Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional studyBurcin Avci0Sema Kaya1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Van Yuzuncu Yil UniversityDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Van Yuzuncu Yil UniversityAbstract Background The use of ultrasonography in pediatric dentistry has gained attention due to its safety, diagnostic versatility, and ability to minimize radiation exposure in children. This study aimed to evaluate parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the use of ultrasonographic imaging in pediatric dentistry. Methods This cross-sectional study included the parents of 347 children aged 1 to 13 years who attended the pediatric dentistry clinic of a public dental school in Van, eastern Turkey. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a 27-item questionnaire covering parents’ demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about ultrasonography. Chi-square and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Results Parents’ knowledge and attitudes varied significantly by educational level and gender. Those with higher education levels demonstrated greater awareness and positive attitudes toward ultrasonography in dentistry. Female parents showed a greater preference than male parents for using ultrasonography in their children’s dental treatment. Correlation analyses revealed strong positive associations among knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, and health literacy scores (r = 0.764–0.923, p < 0.001). Conclusions Although parents generally held positive attitudes toward ultrasonography in pediatric dentistry, their level of knowledge was limited. Educational level and gender significantly influenced parental knowledge and health literacy. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to support informed participation in dental diagnostics.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06548-4AttitudeChildKnowledgeParentsUltrasonography
spellingShingle Burcin Avci
Sema Kaya
Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study
BMC Oral Health
Attitude
Child
Knowledge
Parents
Ultrasonography
title Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study
title_full Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study
title_short Parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics: a cross-sectional study
title_sort parental perceptions of ultrasonography in pediatric dental diagnostics a cross sectional study
topic Attitude
Child
Knowledge
Parents
Ultrasonography
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06548-4
work_keys_str_mv AT burcinavci parentalperceptionsofultrasonographyinpediatricdentaldiagnosticsacrosssectionalstudy
AT semakaya parentalperceptionsofultrasonographyinpediatricdentaldiagnosticsacrosssectionalstudy