Exploring the attitudes of fathersteachers towards the oral health of school children aged 6 to 7 years in Ha'il city : Qualitative Study

Abstract EN

Aim : Exploring the fathers and schoolteacher's role in establishing and maintaining primary school children's oral health behaviours.

Methods : Qualitative study; semi-structured interview were utilised method.

purposive sampling adopted.

Target sample were fathers and teachers of children aged 6 to 7 years in Hail city.

Thematic analysis was adopted in this study.

Results : Totally of 45 participants; 18 fathers and 27 teachers.

Numbers of barriers regarding maintaining good oral health of children were mentioned due to : Saudi life style, routine and cultural norms.

Furthermore, shortage of knowledge regarding promoting oral health and asking children to brush their teeth was count.

The preventable visit to dentist was not necessary according to participants, as it only required when treatment is request.

Teachers agreed about the importance of a school programme and expressed their willingness to be part of it ; however, they expressed a lack of their knowledge about promoting it.

Conclusion : Hail's population are keen to keep their children healthy but they don't know the correct methods.

Furthermore, they have some anxiety about doing.

Preventive dental visit lack due to past experiences.

Social life structures have some effect on oral health practice and sugar consumptions.

Teachers are willing to promote oral health.