Relationship between caries experience and mothers'dental care knowledge and attitude among Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess oral health care and use of dental services among preschool Palestinian refugee children aged 3 to 6 years old, as well as to evaluate oral health care knowledge of their mothers. 
Cross-sectional study was carried out through a survey about oral health care of 120 refugee children randomly selected from two nurseries inside a Palestinian camp for refugees in Beirut, Lebanon. Dental examination was performed and mothers were surveyed about their dental care knowledge and attitudes toward their children. 
The mean Decayed-Missing-Filled index (dmf) index was 6.5 ± 5.25. The main determinants presenting a significant associa- tion with dmf were frequency of sweet consumption, frequency of brushing, brushing starting age, and dental visit experience. Caries severity increased with age and was higher among boys. Adequate strategies should be targeted to cover the unmet den- tal needs of refugee’s society is needed.