Differences in perceptions of early childhood oral health-related quality of life between fathers and mothers in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to use an Arabic version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) in a pilot study, to evaluate differences in parental perception of the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of their children below 71 months of age and assess their suitability as proxy assessors.

METHODS

A translated version of the ECOHIS was administered to the parents (both fathers and mothers) of 97 children aged between 2 and 6 years. The overall ECOHIS scores and the mean number of 'don't know' responses between parents were compared using a paired t-test. The correlation of the ECOHIS scores to the dft was compared using a linear regression model. The reliability of the parents' responses was compared using the Cronbach's alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale responses and their relation to the dft of the child seem to suggest that fathers have significantly less accurate knowledge of the OHRQoL of their children than mothers.

CONCLUSION

The concern showed by Saudi fathers does not correlate to the oral status of their child. Saudi fathers may not be apt as proxies to assess the OHRQoL of their children.