Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Upper-middle Class toward the Importance of a Pediatric Dentist

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of upper middle class toward the importance of a pediatric dentist in the city of Amritsar, Punjab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the parents of children belonging to upper middle class in the city of Amritsar. This proposed study was assessed by the Institutional Ethical Committee (531/IDSR/2016) and their clearance was attained. A total of 950 parents were selected using a convenient sampling technique, and a self-made questionnaire was presented to them. Responses from the parents were evaluated in terms of numbers and percentages and were statistically analyzed using SPSS for Windows release 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Differences at the 5% level were accepted as being statistically significant. RESULTS: The results of the study show limited knowledge about a pediatric dentist among the well-educated, well-placed, and economically sound citizens of Amritsar city. Consequently, the attitude and practices among this socioeconomic group are unconstructive and unprepared, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the importance of taking a child to a pediatrician is a common practice among the upper and upper-middle classes of the society, it is clear that they do not give the same importance to a pediatric dentist, who is the pediatrician of dentistry.