First dental visit: Age, reason, and experiences of Saudi children

A study was conducted among parents/guardians of children attending the Outpatient Department of King Khalid University College of Dentistry, Abha, to assess the attitude and knowledge regarding children's first dental visit and related aspects.

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among a convenient sample of 320 parents/guardians. All the parents/guardians willing to participate in the study and whose children visiting the dentist for the first time were included in the study. Children's behavior was assessed using Frankl's scale.

Majority (29%) of the children visited the dentist for the first time at the age of 3-6 years, while the least percentage (8%) visited the dentist for the first time at the age of 0-1 year. A statistically significant difference was found between the responses (P ≤ 0.05). Most (72.67%) of the children were being accompanied by parents during their first dental visit. About 40.33% of the parents said that overall experience of the first visit of their children was good. About 39.67% of the children had positive behavior during their first dental visit. About 37.33% of the participants said that pain was the main reason for them to get their children to dentist.

It was concluded that bulk of the parents were unaware about the appropriate age of their children's first dental visit. Most of the parents brought their children to dentist after their children experienced pain or suffered from dental caries. There is a need to raise awareness among masses regarding the importance of taking oral health care of their children quite seriously at the earliest budding stage of their life.