Parental knowledge and practices and associated factors of dental caries in school-age children in Debark Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Dental caries is the most widespread preventable chronic disease, with long-lasting effects on children’s health throughout their lives. Although parents are primarily responsible for preventing dental caries in their offspring, there is little evidence of parental knowledge and practice of their children’s dental caries among parents who have school-age children in Ethiopia. To assess parental knowledge, practices, and associated factors related to dental caries in school-age children in Debark town, northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 among 634 parents of school-age children in Debark town. A multistage random sampling technique, along with a structured interview questionnaire including twelve sociodemographic questions, eight knowledge questions, and ten practice-related questions adapted from related literature and WHO guidelines, was utilized to collect data. Descriptive statistics were computed, to summarize the data. Bivariable logistic regression was performed to identify candidate variables (p-values ≤ 0.2), which were subsequently entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Variables with p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. In this study, 613 participants were enrolled, with a response rate of 96.7%. While most parents’ demonstrated good knowledge regarding dental caries prevention in their children 68.8%: 95% CI: 65.85–70.32%), less than half engaged in corresponding preventive practice (47.5%; 95% CI: 44.3–48.18%). This gap between knowledge and behavior suggests that awareness alone may not lead to effective oral health practice among parents. Factors affecting parental knowledge were lack of formal education for both mothers AOR-5.45, 95% CI: (2.33–12.75) and fathers AOR-2.39, 95% CI: ( 1.19–4.66), as well as being housewife mothers AOR-1.6, 95% CI: (1.07–2.44). In terms of practice both mothers and fathers with no formal education AOR-3.15,95%CI; (1.47–6.78), and AOR-2.78,95%CI; (1.38–5.61) respectively, being housewife AOR − 1.51, 95% CI: (1.005–2.28), and parents who had never visited a dentist AOR-5.13, 95% CI: (2.99–8.82) were significantly associated factors. Although over two-thirds of the parents had adequate knowledge of their children’s dental caries, less than half applied effective practices, highlighting a significant knowledge-practice gap. Parental educational level, maternal occupation, and dental visit history were main predictors of both knowledge and practices regarding their children’s dental caries. Therefore, targeted community-based oral health education and behavior-focused interventions should be implemented, for parents with low educational status and strategies promoting regular dental visits are recommended to improved parental preventive practices.