by Mohammed H. Alshamrani, Mohammed Ali Kharif, Naif Mohammed Alshayiqi, Ibrahim Ahmed Alqahtani, Belal Diri, Hashim Yasser Diri, Mohammed Alkithri, Mannaa K.
Aldowsari Background Early childhood caries (ECC) remains a major public health concern globally and is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Parental knowledge, attitudes, and feeding practices play a pivotal role in ECC prevention; however, data from the Riyadh region remain limited.
Objective To assess parental knowledge and awareness of ECC and bottle-feeding attitudes among parents of children aged 1–5 years in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 465 parents using a structured, self-administered questionnaire.
The instrument assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of ECC, preventive oral health practices, and feeding behaviors. Knowledge scores were compared across demographic variables and feeding practices using bivariate analyses.
Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with knowledge. Results Overall parental knowledge was moderate, with notable gaps in awareness of early dental visits and early signs of ECC.
PLOS ONE (Medicine) published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 13 May 2026.
The item focuses on Parental knowledge of early childhood caries and its association with bottle-feeding practices: A cross-sectional analysis in the Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.
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