Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Oral Health in Parents of Preschoolers: A Cross-sectional Study in Gualaceo, Ecuador

Aim and background: Oral health is essential for the comprehensive development of preschool children, impacting their nutrition, learning, and emotional well-being.Dental caries remains a highly prevalent multifactorial condition, particularly among children from rural and low-income areas.Parents are crucial in establishing oral health habits during early childhood.This study aimed to evaluate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about oral health among parents of preschoolers in Gualaceo, Ecuador, and identify associated sociodemographic factors.Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with 169 parents selected through stratified probability sampling.A validated KAP questionnaire was administered online via Google Forms.Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Nonparametric tests were used, given the non-normal distribution of variables as indicated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests.Significant associations were observed between knowledge and educational level (p < 0.01) and between attitudes and income level (p < 0.05).Rural parents demonstrated more favorable attitudes.Practices showed no significant differences, although frequent sugar consumption and limited supervision during brushing were noted.Conclusion: Parental knowledge and attitudes are influenced by sociodemographic variables, while practices continue to show deficiencies.Clinical significance: Educational and community-based programs adapted to the local context are essential to promote effective oral health behaviors and early prevention in preschool-aged children.