Familial oral hygiene practices and its influence among rural youths-exploring primary preventive measures

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A child usually takes up the behavioural habits by observing the parents at home. The mapping of the current level of influence of parents' practices over children is necessary for developing any preventive programs therefore the aim of the study was to determine the influence of familial oral health habits on the adolescent children belonging to rural background. METHOD: The present cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted on 236 rural participants (parents and their children) reporting to a private dental college in a rural set up in India. Questions on demographics, oral hygiene habits and oral health knowledge were asked. Chi-square test and unpaired 't' test was used to determine the differences between parents and children. The cut-off point was set at (0.05). RESULTS: A total of 95 parents considered themselves having good oral health, majority of their children (n = 74; 77.9%) matched their perception. Most of the parents (n = 124) and children (n = 108) reported to dentist only in case of any dental problem. Maximum participant, 85.6% parents and 81.4% children brushed their teeth once a day. Mean knowledge score were higher in children (11.06 ± 2.68) and difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Most children (74.6%) learned to brush from their mother followed by father (10.2%). CONCLUSION: Correct knowledge regarding good oral hygiene practices should be rendered to the parents so that they will successfully transfer these habits to their youngsters.