Evaluating Parental Perspectives on Fluoride Varnish Application Using the "Fluoride Varnish Parent Attitude, Belief Scale"

Objective: Despite the known efficacy and safety of fluoride varnish in preventing dental caries, parental refusal remains a significant challenge. This study compares the sociodemographic characteristics, information sources, and attitudes and beliefs of parents who accept or refuse fluoride varnish application using the “Parental Attitude and Belief Scale Toward Fluoride Varnish.”Methods: The study included 200 parents of pediatric patients who applied to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Dentistry and agreed to participate in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 34 questions related to the “Fluoride Varnish Parent Attitude, Belief Scale” and parents’ oral hygiene habits was administered. Positive and negative attitude scores, as well as scale scores, were obtained from the questions related to positive and negative attitudes on the scale.Results: Forty percent of parents are unaware of fluoride varnish. When examining the demographic characteristics of participants and their attitudes towards fluoride varnish, a difference exists between the awareness rate of fluoride varnish among university graduates and those with other educational levels (p = 0.002). In terms of age groups, a difference is noted between the positive attitude scores of the 31-40 age group and those of the 41 and older age group (p = 0.040). A difference was also found between the negative attitude scores of those living in the city center and those living in rural areas (p = 0.006).Conclusion: Own study demonstrates that parents’ knowledge levels regarding the application of fluoride varnish are insufficient and that an increase in educational level positively impacts awareness. Younger parents exhibit a more open-minded attitude, while those living in the city center have higher negative attitude scores. Based on findings, community-based and multi-channel education strategies should be developed to reduce the rejection of fluoride varnish.