Oral health knowledge in pre-school children: a survey among parents in central Italy

Background The aim of this survey was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of parents about potential oral health risk factors and correct management of oral hygiene of their preschool children. Material and Methods The participation to the survey was proposed to all parents of 3-5 year aged children attending a kindergarten in Campobasso. A self-administered questionnaire was completed to obtain information regarding demographic and education variables, knowledge about caries and its transmission, infant feeding practice, maternal oral health during pregnancy, parents and children's oral hygiene habits and risk behaviors (e.g., sharing cutlery, tasting of baby food, nightly using of bab…