The Smile Starts at Home: Parental Impact on Pediatric Oral Health in Saudi Arabia - A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) remains a highly prevalent and preventable oral condition worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia. Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) strongly influence children’s oral health outcomes. This study assessed parental KAP regarding children’s oral health in Jeddah and explored sociodemographic factors influencing these practices. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 257 parents of children aged 0–12 years in three districts of Jeddah. A validated bilingual questionnaire (Arabic/English) assessed demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Stratified random sampling across schools, clinics, and community centers was employed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Most parents recognized dental caries as a major childhood condition (75.5%) and identified its causes (86.8%). However, knowledge of preventive strategies such as dental sealants (26.5%) and recommended first dental visit (26.5%) was limited. Mothers, Saudi nationals, and those with higher education and income demonstrated significantly better knowledge (p < 0.05). Although 93.4% of children brushed daily, only 47.1% brushed for 2–3 minutes, 17.1% used dental floss, and 39.7% attended regular dental checkups. Attitudinal assessment revealed that 68.2% of parents considered primary teeth important, yet 42.5% delayed the first visit until problems arose. Conclusion: While parents in Jeddah showed adequate general awareness, significant gaps persist in preventive knowledge, early dental visits, and flossing. Targeted, culturally tailored education programs are essential to improve preventive practices and reduce ECC prevalence.