Evaluating Self-Perceived Oral Health Status and Sociodemographic Factors in Saudi Arabian Children: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: It is critical to measure children’s opinions of their oral health to understand their attitudes and self-awareness, spot discrepancies between their perceived and actual health, and develop tailored intervention strategies. In addition, it supports understanding the impact on parenting styles and the general quality of life of the children, resulting in more specialized and effective dental health initiatives.

Objectives: The present study was planned to evaluate children’s self-perceptions towards their oral health status across Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Data for this observational study were obtained from children by licensed dentists working in various regions of the country using a nonprobability sampling technique. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to present data. The World Health Organization (WHO) basic survey method questionnaire was used as a study tool.

Results: The present study recruited N = 606 participants by the convenient sampling technique. Almost half (50%) of the participants believed their oral health status to be varied from good to excellent. For certain regions such as Medina and Riyadh, the dominant category of self-perception was “Excellent,” whilst for Ha’il region, it was found to be “average,” followed by “poor” in Makkah. Self-perceptions toward the oral health status were found to be associated with various sociodemographic factors, such as parents’ education, age of children, gender, and region. Self-perception of oral health was significantly associated with parental education, age, gender, and regional differences.

Conclusion: Most participants believed their oral health status to be either good or average. The responses varied among regions. The oral health status was found to be associated with sociodemographic variables. Future research should further investigate the factors contributing to regional differences and evaluate targeted interventions. The findings emphasize the importance of tailoring interventions to specific regions, as variations in self-perceptions of oral health may indicate underlying disparities in health awareness and access to care among children in Saudi Arabia.