Abstract
BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of school-aged children in some developed nations suffer from dental caries, which causes discomfort, pain, and reduced school attendance for children. Associated risk factors include socioeconomic status, diet, and access to dental care. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of parents of young children aged 4-11 regarding milk fluoridation as a caries preventive measure. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional research method was adopted for this study; we recruited participants conveniently with an online validated questionnaire that examined the general knowledge and attitudes the respondents had towards milk fluoridation. Data were analysed using descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed poor knowledge and general negativity towards milk fluoridation in Gateshead. Over half (51.3%) of the respondents were not sure of the benefits of fluoridation and what it stood for. Despite the poor knowledge of fluoridation, 61.6% of the parents agreed that they would allow their children to be given fluoridated milk if given the opportunity. A significant relationship was observed between the level of education and monthly income. It was observed that secondary-level education increased the likelihood (p = 0.048) seven times (B = 7.000) of the respondents having adequate knowledge of fluoridation. CONCLUSIONS: Undoubtedly, there remains limited information on general knowledge about milk fluoridation in Gateshead. It is, therefore, recommended that educational interventions and socioeconomic development be implemented before any community-level milk fluoridation program in Gateshead.