Evaluation of knowledge, behavior and habits of parents with children with cleft lip and palate on oral and dental HEALTH and habits of their children

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most commonly encountered congenital anomaly in the head and neck region. The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge, behavior, and habits of the CLP children's parents in regard to oral health and nutritional habits of their children. An online questionnaire with 52 questions was administered to the parents of 343 patients with CLP aged 0–18 who had been on regular follow up by Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test (p<0,05). With respect to the obtained results, 65.3% of mothers and 73.3% of fathers graduated from high school or had higher educational level. Parents with higher education level had more oral health knowledge (p<0,05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting the child's tooth brushing habits were the mother's age (OR=1,071, p<0,05), the father's occupational status (OR=2,089, p<0,05) and the timing of the mother's last dental visit (OR=1,995, p<0,05). The factors affecting the child's toothpaste usage were the mother's age (OR=1,106, p<0,05), the father's occupational status (OR=2,124, p<0,05) and the timing of the mother's last dental visit (OR=2,076 p<0,05). Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages of the children of the parents with lower education levels were statistically higher than that of the children of the parents with higher education levels (p<0,005). Within the limitations of this study, it was found that some parental factors may influence the oral health of children with CLP. Therefore, it was concluded that the effect of parents should not be overlooked when evaluating the oral health of children with CLP. According to the study results, parental factors have a significant influence on the oral health-related behaviors of children with CLP.