AN INSIGHT INTO PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS AND TRAVAILS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ORAL HEALTH CARE IN CHILDREN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

Background: The World Health Organization characterized the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Since it is highly contagious ,the Government had taken measures to restrict peoples transit, which led people to stay at home doors. Due to fear of contracting infection and restriction of dental services at many places children were not able to visit dentist to receive dental treatment. Therefore, educating parents and implementation of preventive measures for maintenance of oral hygiene was considered as the only boon during these times

Aim & Objective: To understand the oral health behaviour of school children and difficulties encountered by their parents in availing dental care during pandemic. Methodology: The present study was conducted with a sample of 365 parents through structured online questionnaire survey of the selected schools on their phone numbers given at the school . The questionnaire had 25 mandatory questions pertaining to various parental difficulties faced to access oral health, their attitude towards their childs oral health , the various preventive measures taken by parents and their satisfaction with dental treatment provided during COVID 19 pandemic.

Results: Out of 365 parents a total of 12.3% reported the need of their childs dental treatment during lockdown but only 9 % parents visited the pediatric dentist.The overall attitude and practice to maintain the oral health care of their child was not very satisfactory.Most of parents missed their dental appoinments due to transportation problem

Conclusion & Clinical Significance:. The pandemic has highlighted significant importance among parents in maintaining the oral health of their child.