Assessment of parents' behavior and knowledge level regarding the use of fluoride

The aim of the study was to evaluate parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the importance of fluoride in protecting their children's oral health. The research aimed to reveal parents' awareness levels regarding fluoride and to develop recommendations for oral health education programs. The study included 661 pediatric patients aged 2-15 years and their parents who visited the clinic for routine dental examinations and treatments. Intraoral examinations were performed and their dmft/DMFT scores were recorded. A questionnaire consisting of four main sections and twenty-seven multiple-choice questions was administered to the parents. The first section of the questionnaire form included sociodemographic characteristics such as the family's income and education status. The second section of the questionnaire contained questions about the children's oral hygiene habits, the third about their behavior regarding fluoride, and the last assessing the parents' level of knowledge about fluoride. The average age of the patients was determined to be 9.2±2.7, with girls constituting 53.9% of the participants and boys constituting 46.1%. It was found that children most often started brushing their teeth when their first permanent molars erupted (26.6%), that brushing frequency was mostly once a day (47.1%), and that tooth brushing was often performed under parental supervision (68.5%). The most common reason for visiting the dentist was toothache (54.6%). When parents' knowledge and behavior regarding fluoride were evaluated, it was seen that the rate of regular protective fluoride application to children was low, the majority of parents were not aware of the fluoride content of the toothpaste used, and the percentage of those who knew the amount of fluoride was quite limited. When parents' knowledge level about fluoride was evaluated, the median correct answer rate was found to be 14.3 out of 100. It was determined that there were knowledge gaps, particularly regarding the need to determine the amount of fluoride in toothpaste based on age and caries risk, and that excessive fluoride can be harmful. This study shows that children do not brush their teeth optimally and that the rate of regular dental check-ups is low. Furthermore, the findings reveal that parents' knowledge levels regarding fluoride use and oral health are generally inadequate. It has also been determined that parents' knowledge levels regarding toothpaste selection and protective fluoride applications are limited.