Oral and dental health is an essential aspect of primary health care and is a situation in which the mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy and free from any diseases. This critical aspect of general health needs to be well inculcated right from early childhood, as it has been documented that poor mouth hygiene is one of the risk factors for oral diseases (Akinyamoju et al., 2020). Parents, especially mothers, are responsible for maintaining good oral hygiene practices and inculcating good oral hygiene habits in children (Salama et al., 2020). Maintaining good oral and dental hygiene is also an essential aspect in the prevention of severe infections like infective endocarditis (IE) in children with structurally normal hearts as well as those with congenital and acquired heart defects. Infections of the teeth and gums and interventions for their prevention and treatment can lead to the transfer of micro-organisms from the oral cavity into the bloodstream, which can adhere to endocardial surfaces and cause infective endocarditis (Sosiawan et al., 2019)(Bumm & Folwaczny, 2021).

Recent guidelines for preventing IE have emphasized the maintenance of good oral hygiene above antibiotic prophylaxis given before specific dental procedures because significant bacteremia can even occur during simple everyday activities like chewing and brushing (Lockhart et al., 2008). Also, poor oral hygiene can lead to conditions like gingivostomatitis, which can lead to progressive ulceration (Noma), especially in young and severely malnourished children lima nam. This study was therefore undertaken to explore the knowledge and practices regarding oral and dental health for mothers of children aged 6 months to 8 years as well as knowledge and practices of older children aged above 8 years to 15 years seeking healthcare in a tertiary health facility in Sokoto metropolis to expose gaps in this regard for public health education.

Studies have highlighted the critical role of mothers in shaping the oral health practices of their children, emphasizing the importance of maternal knowledge and attitudes toward dental care and indicating that maternal behavior significantly influences children's dental health outcomes (Brailer et al., 2019) (Rahina et al., 2021). Research demonstrates a direct correlation between mothers' dental health practices and their children's oral health status (Hammersley et al., 2022) (Khan et al., 2022). Further investigations have provided insights into the effectiveness of various tools and interventions in improving maternal dental health knowledge and practices, such as developing specialized questionnaires and mobile applications (Ramírez-Trujillo et al., 2021) (Setijanto et al., 2021). Studies have shed light on the multifaceted nature of oral health education, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive interventions tailored to specific community needs(Kumari et al., 2019)(Sabdho Wening et al., 2019).

Learning in early childhood education is very important in stimulating children's cognitive development. However, as previous research found, some learning in early childhood education institutions is one-way. Namely, teachers give children lectures or activity sheets for coloring, and soon (Martono, 2018)(Nurdin & Anhusadar, 2020). Apart from that, early childhood learning also forces children(Fadlillah, 2020), thereby eliminating the essence of children's learning, namely playing (Suyanto, 2005).

Providing stimulus for early childhood education should adapt to children's learning concepts. Previous literature states that there are several ways to stimulate children's cognitive development, namely: drawing geometric shapes (Natacik, 2018), scientific approaches (Akromah & Rohmah, 2019), demonstration methods (Anggraini & Suyadi, 2019), playing with blocks(Dea & Latipah, 2017), calistung learning(Yulisar et al., 2020), domino cards (Wulandari et al., 2022), and smart boards (Candra, 2022)(Luh & Wahyuni, 2022). This literature does not provide freedom of learning for young children.

However, significant gaps and controversies remain in the field, including a lack of awareness and engagement among mothers regarding their children's dental health, indicating a critical need for more effective and accessible educational programs (Gerreth et al., 2020) (Ludovichetti et al., 2022). Research has pointed out the variability in parental perceptions and practices across different regions, suggesting a need for region-specific strategies (Alshammari et al., 2021) (Soares et al., 2022).

This study aims to explore innovative approaches to early childhood oral and dental health education, focusing on the role of mothers. By examining existing gaps and limitations in current strategies, this research seeks to develop a more holistic and practical model for oral health education that can be implemented from an early age, thereby reducing the prevalence of dental diseases in future generations (Butten et al., 2020) (Riaz et al., 2020).

This study was conducted at the General Outpatient Clinic (Paediatric section) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, targeting children aged 1 month to 15 years. The clinic primarily handles minor illnesses under the care of medical officers, resident doctors, and consultants, referring more complex cases to the Emergency Paediatric Unit and multi-specialty clinics. It was a cross-sectional study, with data collection from February to April 2022. The subjects included mothers of children aged 6 months to under 8 years and children aged 8 to 15 years, all presenting with minor illnesses. Inclusion criteria were children between 6 months and 15 years whose caregivers provided informed written consent, along with children aged 8 years and above who gave assent. Exclusion criteria encompassed children undergoing dental treatment belonging to the same family. The minimum sample size was calculated using a specified formula:

Where n = minimum sample size, z = Standard average deviation set at 1.96, and p = Prevalence of adequate knowledge of oral health among school-age children in Lagos. Therefore, a prevalence of 52.3% (0.523) was used.

= 384

However, this was adjusted with finite correction to the average number of children seen in the clinic weekly at 625, which is < 10,000; therefore, the formula below:

n=

Where n◦ = initial sample size calculated (384), n = sample size with finite correction for population size, N = Population size (625).

Participants were selected for the study through systematic random sampling based on age as they visited the clinic for follow-up, ensuring the desired sample size. The data collection instruments included demographic data entered into a proforma derived from two World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health questionnaires. These questionnaires were tailored for mothers of children under 8 and for children aged 8 and above, focusing on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral health. During clinic visits, caregivers received a general health talk about their children's condition, and consent for the study was obtained. Participants were divided into two age groups: 6 months to under 8 years and 8 to 15 years, categorized based on the presence of primary or permanent teeth. Mothers and caregivers were interviewed about their dental care knowledge, attitudes, and practices for children below 8 years, while older children were directly interviewed.

The study evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices through scoring systems. Knowledge was measured by the number of correct answers, with scores ranging from 0-69%, indicating inadequate knowledge, and 70-100%, indicating adequate knowledge (Choufani & Barakat, 2023). Attitudes were assessed using a 3-point Likert scale, with responses classified as either negative (0-69%) or positive (70-100%). Practice was scored based on correctness, with over 70% indicating adequate practice. Data analysis involved inputting data from each subject and control using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. The analysis included prevalence rates, age distribution, and mean scores, presented as percentages, means, and standard deviations. Frequency distribution tables, Chi-square tests, Fischer’s exact test, and Pearson correlation were employed for analysis, with a significance level set at p-value <0.05.

Ethical considerations were meticulously adhered to. The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Ethics Committee, Sokoto, granted ethical approval (approval number UDUTH/HREC/2020/931/V1). Informed written consent was obtained from the legally authorized caregivers, and children aged 8 years and above-provided assent. Confidentiality was stringently maintained for all collected data.

Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of general health and quality of life. Oral hygiene practices, when inculcated, tend to keep the mouth clean and healthy by maintaining plaque-free tooth surfaces. Poor oral health practices lead to the accumulation of dental plaque, which harbors bacteria that cause dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Individual, parental, family, and community factors all influence oral hygiene. These are influenced by communal knowledge, norms, beliefs, values, and practices (Oyedele et al., 2019).

This hospital-based study used different questionnaires to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers of young children below eight years and of older children with permanent teeth. Most of the respondents were Hausa-Fulani, which is unsurprising, being the prominent residents of the Sokoto metropolis in North-western Nigeria. The majority were also of middle socioeconomic status, as the hospital of study is the major tertiary hospital within the state and is patronized mainly by those who can afford their hospital bills (Isezuo et al., 2018).

Less than half of mothers (46.9%) had good knowledge of the oral and dental health of their children, while all (100%) had positive attitudes, and fewer (20.3%) had good practices. This showed that a positive attitude was higher than appropriate knowledge, and good practice was deficient among the mothers. Mothers in this study had lower levels of education. They were mainly unemployed, similar to a study by Choufani (Choufani & Barakat, 2023) in Beirut, which used a similar questionnaire among mothers. The proportion of sound knowledge, attitude, and practice in their study was 48.6%, 88.9%, and 13%, respectively, but was unlike BenGhasheer (BenGhasheer & Saub, 2022) in a study of Libyan parents of majorly upper social class where higher figures of 77.7%, 86.4% & 78.7% were reported respectively. Also, among mothers in Ibadan, Nigeria, 36% had a good attitude, while 64% had poor knowledge (Aderinokun et al., 1998).

Only 18% of mothers knew that fluoride was a protective component of toothpaste, which implies that mothers do not note whether their paste contains fluoride. A similar low proportion of 22.7% of mothers were aware of this in the study by Jain in India. More than 50% of mothers were aware in other studies, and they had a higher level of education than seen in our study, which could probably be responsible (BenGhasheer & Saub, 2022)(Choufani & Barakat, 2023). This hospital-based study used different questionnaires to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers of young children below eight years and of older children with permanent teeth. Most of the respondents were Hausa-Fulani, which is unsurprising, being the prominent residents of the Sokoto metropolis in North-western Nigeria. The majority were also of middle socioeconomic status, as the hospital of study is the major tertiary hospital within the state and is patronized mainly by those who can afford their hospital bills (Isezuo et al., 2018).

All mothers had positive attitudes; however, it has been reported that a good attitude does not necessarily translate to good practice, and many may give socially acceptable responses to those queries. It was also observed that about 20% of mothers were unsure of the care of milk teeth since they would eventually fall off. This was also observed by Jain and Chinoufa (Choufani & Barakat, 2023)(Uday Kumar et al., 2011). Milk teeth require appropriate care because apart from caries causing a child pain and distress, other complications such as periodontal infections and bloodstream infections may result. Sanaa from Morocco reported in their study that mothers' excellent knowledge and attitude positively affected their children's dental health (Chala et al., 2018).

Mothers in this study had a low practice score because less than 50% started teeth cleaning after a year and used toothpaste. Almost 90% did not know whether their paste had fluoride and did not practice routine visits to dentists. The majority used their fingers only to clean their children's teeth. In contrast, a study from Ibadan showed that most mothers used cotton wool (Kim et al., 2020)(Aderinokun et al., 1998). Also, mothers needed to learn the age at which a child should be taken to the dental clinic for the first time and had not taken their child for any dental visit (Aderinokun et al., 1998). Knowledge about the role of fluorides and the importance of frequent dental visits was found to need to be improved among the participants (Sehrawat et al., 2016) (Whelan et al., 2021).

Among the older children in this study, the proportion of those with good knowledge, attitude, and practice level of oral health was 60%, 61.8%, and 32.7%, and there was also a positive correlation between the means of the scores, though more significant between knowledge and attitude. Practice level was also low, as was seen with the mothers supporting that parents acting as role models would positively impact their children’s oral health. In Lagos, Sepuluh's findings among school students reveal that 65.5% had a good attitude, 64.0% had a positive attitude, and 70.5% had a good practice. Despite similar knowledge and attitude levels, their practice levels were much higher than those in our study. This could be due to more exposure and higher level of education of their parents, especially mothers, compared to this study. The knowledge and attitude were significantly related to their father’s occupation and mother’s education level; however, practice was not related. The pupil's gender and parents’ occupation were predictors of oral health practice in another study; however, gender was not related (Akinyamoju et al., 2020).

The study conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria, aimed to assess mothers' and children's oral and dental health knowledge, attitudes, and practices, revealing substantial gaps, particularly among mothers of younger children. Key findings include inadequate oral health practices, a strong correlation between the parents' socio-economic status and children's oral health knowledge, and a general yet superficial positive attitude towards oral health. These results highlight the crucial need for integrating oral health education within broader healthcare and educational systems, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged communities. While the study provides valuable insights, its geographical limitation and reliance on self-reported data suggest a need for broader, more objective research. Overall, this study underscores the importance of educational interventions and community-based health programs in improving oral health outcomes in Nigeria.