13 attitudinal items (285 cases) | Possible answers (codes) | Mean (SD) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Agree (1–2) | Do not know (3) | Disagree (4–5) | ||
% | % | % | ||
1. As a family, we are confident that we can reduce the chances of our child getting tooth decay. | 1.4 | 10.5 | 88.1 | 4.04 (0.57) |
2. As parents, it is our responsibility to prevent our child getting tooth decay. | 0.4 | 6.0 | 93.6 | 4.23 (0.58) |
3R. It is the responsibility of the dentist to prevent our child getting tooth decay. | 16.5 | 22.9 | 60.6 | 2.46 (0.84) |
4R. No matter what we do, our child is likely to get tooth decay. | 16.6 | 28.4 | 55.0 | 2.45 (0.93) |
5. We can prevent tooth decay in our child by reducing sugary foods and drinks between meals. | 5.3 | 15.3 | 79.4 | 3.91 (0.74) |
6R. It just happens that children get tooth decay. | 16.4 | 13.2 | 70.4 | 2.20 (1.04) |
7. If we brush our child's teeth twice a day, we can prevent our child getting tooth decay in the future. | 6.0 | 27.5 | 66.5 | 3.74 (0.76) |
8R. If our child gets tooth decay, it is by chance. | 6.5 | 26.5 | 67.0 | 2.26 (0.75) |
9R. It would not make any difference to our child getting tooth decay, if we helped him/her brush every day. | 9.7 | 26.3 | 64.0 | 2.36 (0.81) |
10R. Some people just naturally have soft teeth. | 45.4 | 42.2 | 12.4 | 3.33 (0.80) |
11. As a family, we intend controlling how often our child has sugary foods or drinks between meals. | 4.9 | 21.5 | 73.6 | 3.77 (0.67) |
12R. It is just bad luck if our child gets tooth decay. | 13.3 | 28.3 | 58.4 | 2.44 (0.90) |
13R. The dentist is the best person to prevent tooth decay in our child. | 34.8 | 31.2 | 34.0 | 3.03 (0.92) |