Knowledge, attitudes and practices (Kap) regarding early childhood caries among nurses working in a low socio-economic area

Abstract

In the poorer communities, nursing professionals are usually the first health professionals to come into contact with parents and their children. They are therefore the first port of call when patients need information about health matters and are thus able to have a positive impact on oral health and the prevention of ECC.

To investigate the knowledge of nursing professionals regarding oral health in children and specifically ECC and its causes.

A convenience sample was used which included all nurses who agreed to participate.

Questionnaires were completed for 83 nurses at the various facilities in a low socio-economic area of Cape Town, South Africa.

Information was obtained regarding their attitude towards dental care, general oral health knowledge and knowledge of feeding and oral hygiene practices. In the sample of nurses surveyed, it is clear that the knowledge regarding oral health related matters is sorely lacking.

More time and resources need to be invested into equipping these nurses to provide basic oral health information to the broader community in order to alleviate the burden of ECC.