THE ROLE OF MEDICAL AND SANITARY-HYGIENIC EDUCATION OF PARENTS IN MAINTAINING THE DENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN
Chizhikova T.S., L. I. Agapitov, T. V. Chizhikova, A. V. Kokareva, Pankratova O.B., D. V. Khusainov
Abstract
Abstract: Assessment of the contribution of sanitary and hygienic education of parents in maintaining the dental health of children is an urgent task of practical health care. 70 children aged 4-6 years were examined. The hygienic condition of the oral cavity, the prevalence of caries and its intensity were evaluated. The parents of the examined children were surveyed in order to determine their medical and sanitary-hygienic literacy, as well as to clarify their attitude to conducting sanitary and educational work. The average value of the Fedorov-Volodkina index in children was 2.03±0.65, while one third of the examined patients showed an insufficient level of oral hygiene. The high prevalence (76%) and intensity (cp(h) 2.1±1.6) of caries were revealed. The relationship between the erroneous ideas of parents about the lack of the need for timely treatment of baby teeth with the unsatisfactory hygienic condition of the oral cavity, the prevalence and intensity of caries is established. The indicator of the relative risk of caries of baby teeth in children with the point of view of their parents that baby teeth can’t be treated was 1.36 (confidence interval 1.08-1.72, p<0.05), and a similar RR in their opinion that children's carious teeth should not be treated, they should be removed was 1.41 (confidence interval 1.14-1.76, p<0.05). The association of dental pathology in the examined children and the low level of medical and sanitary-hygienic knowledge of their parents turned out to be comparable with such a well-known association as frequent acute infectious diseases in children and the development of dental diseases in pediatrics, and is more pronounced than the relationship between the unfavorable course of pregnancy and diseases of the dental apparatus. It is necessary to expand measures for medical and sanitary-hygienic education of parents, the introduction of new forms of interaction between medical personnel and legal representatives of children in order to preserve dental health in pediatrics.