Prevalence of deleterious oral habits in children in Punjab: a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of parental awareness and responses.

PURPOSE: To assess the parent-reported prevalence of deleterious oral habits amongst children aged 1-12 years in Punjab and explore parental awareness and responses.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted amongst 622 parents/guardians of children aged 1-12 years recruited from paediatric dental clinics, schools and community groups in Punjab. Data on socio-demographics, oral habits, and parental awareness and responses were collected. As children could present with more than one oral habit, multiple responses were permitted. Descriptive statistics were generated, and age-group distributions were examined using Chi-square tests. Interpretation of findings should account for parent-reported data and feasibility-based sampling.

RESULTS

Of the 622 children surveyed, 90.5% (95% CI: 88.2-92.8) were reported to have at least one oral habit. As children could exhibit more than one habit, a total of 1,239 habit responses were recorded. Thumb/finger sucking, bruxism and nail biting were the most frequently reported habits. Thumb/finger sucking declined significantly with age (p < 0.001), whilst bruxism increased in older children (p < 0.05). Parental awareness was limited, with 22.5% of parents ignoring habits and only 15.4% seeking paediatric dental advice.

CONCLUSION

Parent-reported oral habits were frequently reported amongst children in the present survey. Misconceptions and delayed consultation highlight the need for anticipatory guidance, early counselling and community education.