Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining children's oral health and preventing dental diseases. Parental knowledge and practices significantly influence children's dental habits. However, gaps in awareness and inconsistent practices may contribute to the high prevalence of dental caries. In Saudi Arabia, the understanding of preventive dental care among parents remains underexplored. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 250 parents in Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, parental knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward preventive dental care for children. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Most parents (43%) correctly identified the appropriate age for a child's first dental visit. While 64% recommended dental check-ups every six months, 23% recommended yearly visits. A majority (68%) encouraged children to brush twice daily, though 16% reported that their children brushed only once. Regarding dietary habits, 19% of parents reported regular consumption of sugary snacks by their children. Time constraints (41%) and high costs (20%) were the most common barriers to regular dental visits. Over 85% of parents expressed interest in receiving more information on preventive dental care. CONCLUSION: While many parents in Saudi Arabia recognize the importance of preventive dental care, there are significant gaps in both knowledge and practices, particularly regarding the frequency of dental visits and dietary habits. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve parental knowledge and practices, ultimately promoting better oral health outcomes for children.