Impact Of Various Factors Affecting Childrens Regular Attendance To Dental Hospital In West Godavari District Andhra Pradesh

AIM: To investigate various factors affectingregular attendance of the children to dental hospital in West Godavaridistrict, Andhra Pradesh.

OBJECTIVES : To assess variousfacilitators and barriersaffecting children’s regular attendance to dental hospital.

METHODOLOGY: Children aged 3–12 years old who visit the Vishnu Dental CollegeOutpatient Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry and whose parentshave signed the consent form will be included in the study. A validatedself-administrated questionnaire written in English and local language (Telugu)will be given to parents to obtain information. The questionnaire includesgeneral questions such as the child’s age, gender, and frequency of dentalvisits in the previous 12 months. It is further categorised into five domainslike sociodemographic factors (socioeconomic status of parent, proximity ofdental clinic), child factors (child’s past dental experience, fear and anxietyof child when visiting dentist), parent factors (attitude of parent towardsdental treatment, knowledge of parent about child oral health),self-supportedoral health care and behaviour factors (oral hygiene aids, consumption ofsugary foods) and other factors that include time factor, financial factor,reason for visit, need for dental visit). Prior to the obtaining ofinformation, a brief view of the reason for conducting the questionnaire isexplained to the parent.