Rabia Süheyla DOĞRUYOL, Sabiha Ceren İLİSULU
Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine - 2026;17(10):1073-1077
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the factors influencing parents' choices of oral care products for their children. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Altınbaş University between April and June 2023. Ethical approval was obtained (No: 2023/186). A structured 15-item questionnaire was administered to parents of children aged 4-9 years. A total of 552 valid responses were analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square tests (IBM SPSS 25), with significance set at P < .05. Results: The study included 552 parents (21% male, 79% female; mean age 36.91 +/- 5.79 years). Pediatric dentists (52.7%) and dentists (37.3%) were reported as the main sources of information for product selection. While 59.6% of parents recognized fluoride as caries-preventive, 40.4% held misconceptions regarding its potential health risks. Mothers were significantly more likely than fathers to consider "chemical content" when selecting toothpaste ( P < .05). Higher educational status was significantly associated with increased attention to "fluoride concentration," "chemical content," and "child's age" ( P < .01). In toothbrush selection, mothers emphasized brush head, bristle type, electric use, and child's age more than fathers ( P < .05). Parents with university-level education reported greater emphasis on toothbrush features and dentist recommendations ( P < .01). Conclusion: Parental gender, education, and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with oral care product choices. Although professional guidance played a strong role in decision-making, misconceptions regarding fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate persisted. These findings highlight the importance of targeted parental education and professional counseling to support informed product selection and promote optimal oral health in children.
