Table 2 Distribution of individual items of Locus of control (LoC)

1. As a family, we are confident that we can reduce the chances of our child getting tooth decay.

2. As parents, it is our responsibility to prevent our child getting tooth decay.

3R. It is the responsibility of the dentist to prevent our child getting tooth decay.

4R. No matter what we do, our child is likely to get tooth decay.

5. We can prevent tooth decay in our child by reducing sugary foods and drinks between meals.

6R. It just happens that children get tooth decay.

7. If we brush our child's teeth twice a day, we can prevent our child getting tooth decay in the future.

8R. If our child gets tooth decay, it is by chance.

9R. It would not make any difference to our child getting tooth decay, if we helped him/her brush every day.

10R. Some people just naturally have soft teeth.

11. As a family, we intend controlling how often our child has sugary foods or drinks between meals.

12R. It is just bad luck if our child gets tooth decay.

13R. The dentist is the best person to prevent tooth decay in our child.