Factors Affecting Pre-School Children Dental Health Care Behaviors of Parents In Pronsawan District, Nakhornphanom Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to determine pre-school children dental health care
behavior of parents and its affecting factors. There were 266 participating parents from 16 child
development centers in Phonsawan District, Nakhornphanom Province. Data were collected by using a
structured interview form. The analysis of data was performed to test relationships between the study
factors and children dental health care behavior. Results revealed that most of parents performed at a
fair level of children dental health care behavior (57.9%). Only 10.5 % of them performed at a good
level, while 31.6% performed at an unsatisfied level. There were less than half of the parents who
performed care taking at a good level : tooth brushing (40.6%), fluoride enameling (25.9%), routine
dentist visiting (21.8), and consuming foods that affecting dental health (11.3%). In multiple regression
analysis, the result revealed only three factors - receiving support from public health personnel ( =
0.288, p <.001), receiving support from family ( = 0.268, p <.001), and perceived self-efficacy for
child dental health care (=0.207, p <.001) significantly affected the parent behaviors on children
dental health care, and could account for 34% of the variance in the behavior. The findings suggested
that the behaviors on children dental health care should be promoted among parents through health
education intervention focusing on improving self- efficacy for child dental health care and social
support intervention provided by public health personnel and family member.