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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

Perceived importance of child's oral health and willingness to take children to see dentist

Among mothers who thought that it was very important to look after their child’s oral health,
99.2% (95% CI: 98.31 - 99.63) reported that they would take their child to visit the dentist if
advised to do so. Among mothers who thought that it was important to look after their child’s
oral health, 99.1% (95% CI: 98.61 – 99.47) reported that they would take their child to a dentist
(Table 4.5.2.13).

Ever received health personnel’s’ advice on child’s oral health and perceived
importance of a child's oral health

Among mothers who had ever received health personnel’s advice regarding care of their
child’s oral health, only 26.5% (95% CI: 22.24 – 31.15) thought that it was very important to
look after their child’s oral health. Among mothers who had never received such advice, 27.0%
(95% CI: 19.97 – 35.52) thought that it was very important to look after their child’s oral health
(Table 4.5.2.14).

4.5.3. Conclusion

The findings of this survey showed that only one in four mothers perceived that looking after their
children’s teeth was very important. In addition to this, only about seven in ten mothers reported
having cleaned/ brushed their child’s teeth or supervised their child’s tooth brushing every day.
Notably, seven in ten mothers reported they had never taken their child for a dental visit. Among
mothers who reported having ever taken their child for a dental visit, nine in ten mothers had sought
oral health care for their child in the last two years. Of concern, is the observation that only about four
in ten mothers were aware that they needed to take their child for their first dental visit before the age
of two years.

Almost all mothers reported that they would take their child for dental care if they were advised to do
so. Among mothers who did not take their child for treatment when advised to do so, the most
commonly reported reason was that their child was too young to get treatment. About four in ten
mothers reported they had ever received advice regarding the care of their child’s teeth from health
care personnel.

This study also showed that among mothers who perceived that it was very important to look after
their child’s oral health, only about one in four reported ever taking their child for a dental check up
or for dental treatment. In addition to this, only two in five mothers who perceived that it was very
important to look after their child’s oral health were aware that the child’s first dental visit ought to be
before two years of age. It was also observed that among mothers who had ever received health
personnel’s advice on their child’s oral healthcare, only about one in four mothers perceived that it
was very important to look after their child’s oral health.

Good oral health should begin from early childhood. In light of these findings, there is a strong need
to promote greater awareness of the role of mothers in maintaining good oral health of their young
children. Advice for mothers on oral health should include good oral hygiene habits for the very young
child as well as educating them on the right timing for their child’s dental visit which is before the age
of two.