Level of knowledge about oral health of patients in the "La Joya" sector, Ambato - Tungurahua

Abstract

Introduction: knowledge of oral health of guardians is important for the prevention of oral diseases in children. Objective: determine the knowledge of oral health in mothers and fathers in the La Joya Ambato-Tungurahua sector. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. For the study, a validated questionnaire was used consisting of 20 questions on prevention, dental caries, diet and hygiene; with four response alternatives. The universe consisted of 395 parents residing in the "La Joya" sector in the province of Tungurahua- Ambato. A simple random sampling was performed with a confidence level of 95%. The sample was 231. Results: mothers predominated with 56% and fathers represented 44%, the level of secondary education was higher in mothers, 41% and in fathers 57%. Tutors with poor qualifications represented 87.8%. There is no significant relationship between the tutor variables and their academic level. Conclusions: there is a deficient knowledge among guardians regarding the oral health of their children, in aspects related to dental caries, its prevention, diet and oral hygiene, demonstrating a lack of knowledge on the part of parents regarding the topic of dental health. It is also evident that there is no relationship between the guardian and the educational level of the participants with the knowledge about dental caries, its prevention, diet and oral hygiene.