# Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Saudi Parents’ Perceptions Toward Their Children’s Oral Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Saudi parents' attitudes toward their children's oral health and dental care.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how pandemic-related fear and income levels influence parents' decisions to seek dental care for their children.

## Key findings

- 42 (10.9%) Saudi parents showed maximum fear of the pandemic, while 36 (9.3%) reported no fear.
- Only 25.1% of parents sought dental care for their children despite many reporting dental pain.
- Fear levels were significantly associated with family income and willingness to visit dental appointments.

## Abstract

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) markedly affected all aspects of life. Pediatric dentistry and oral health of children faced a challenging situation during the pandemic.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the attitude of Saudi parents toward their children's oral health and dental treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This online-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire adopted from previous studies with some modifications. It was distributed among 385 Saudi parents recruited through social media. It included questions regarding demographic data, parents’ attitudes toward their children's dental care and dental visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, their fear level and willingness to take their children to dental appointments, and the parent’s perception of dental clinics with regard to the COVID-19 spread. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used; statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

Different levels of fear of the pandemic were expressed by Saudi parents, with 42 (10.9%) showing maximum fear while 36 (9.3%) reported no fear. Although about half of the parents stated that their children experienced dental pain during the pandemic, only 97 (25.1%) looked for dental care and were assisted. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between the fear level with the family income and parents’ willingness to take their children to dental appointments.

Conclusions

COVID-19 has had a great impact on parents’ attitudes towards their children's oral health. A high percentage of Saudi parents' stated that they would take their children to dental clinics during the pandemic only for urgent treatment and severe pain.