Attitude of parents of disabled children towards dental visits in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The objective of the present study was to determine the attitude of parents of disabled children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia towards dental visits. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required information. A total of 315 parents, 70 (22.2%) fathers and 245 (77.8%) mothers completed the questionnaire. Almost all (99.0%) the parents were aware that regular dental check-ups are important in maintaining good dental health. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the parents were of the opinion that one must visit a dentist every six months for dental check-up; and some (17.8%) even every three months. However, 83 (26.3%) children had never visited a dentist. Only nine (2.8%) children had visited a dentist for first dental check-up by the age of three years. A significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of parents with "secondary school or higher" education (69.7%) were of the opinion that one should visit a dentist every six months as compared to parents with "middle school or lower" education (57.3%). About one-fourth of the older age groups (25.6% in 6-10 years old and 24.5% in > or = 11 years old) made their last visit to a dentist due to pain as compared with about one in every ten children (11.1%) in younger age group. The children with mental retardation had the highest percentage (81.5%) among those who had visited a dentist followed by cerebral palsy children (79.2%) and Downs syndrome children (68.4%). It can be concluded that the parents' attitude towards importance of regular visit in their disabled children is positive. However, there is a need to inform them about the importance of early first dental visit, and establishing a support mechanism to utilize their positive attitude.