Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand

Kanitnad Chaiyasak, Chawapon Sarnkhaowkhom, Manirat Therawiwat, Alongkorn Pekalee

Published Online: Aug 7, 2026 DOI DOI 10.12982/OSR.2026.036

Objectives: Early childhood caries is a significant oral health issue that progresses rapidly and affects the long-term health and quality of life of preschool children. Therefore, this study aimed to study the oral health behaviors and their predictors among parents of preschool children in Samut Sakhon, Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 351 parents of preschool children, selected through multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed based on theoretical frameworks and study objectives,comprising four parts: personal factors, oral health knowledge, Health Belief Model-based oral health beliefs, and parental oral health behaviors. The instruments demonstrated a content validity (IOC) of 0.66–1.00 and a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.896. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analysis.

Results: The results indicated that 53.6% of parents exhibited moderate oral health behaviors for their children (Mean=55.95, SD=10.575). Factors significantly predicting oral health behaviors, accounting for 32.4% of the variance (R²=0.324, p<0.05), included cues to action (β=0.323), perceived barriers (β=0.296), oral health knowledge (β=0.125), educational background (β=0.117), and perceived severity of oral health issues (β=0.103).

Conclusions: Findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve oral health behaviors among parents, focusing on oral hygiene, milk bottle care, nutrition, and dental visits. Programs should raise awareness and provide educational resources on preschool oral health to promote better oral hygiene practices.

oral health behavior children health belief model predictive factors preschool

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Chaiyasak K, Sarnkhaowkhom C, Therawiwat M, Pekalee A. Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand: Original articles. Oral Sci Rep [Internet]. 2026 Aug 07 [cited 2026 Aug 08];47(3):352-361. Available from: https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=560

Chaiyasak, K., Sarnkhaowkhom, C., Therawiwat, M. & Pekalee, A. (2026). Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand. Oral Sci Rep, 47(3), 352-361. Retrieved from: https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=560

Chaiyasak, K., Chawapon Sarnkhaowkhom,Manirat Therawiwat and Alongkorn Pekalee. 2026. "Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand." Oral Sci Rep, 47(3), 352-361. https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=560

Chaiyasak, K. et al. 2026. 'Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand', Oral Sci Rep, 47(3), 352-361. Retrieved from https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=560

Chaiyasak, K., Sarnkhaowkhom, C., Therawiwat, M. and Pekalee, A. "Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand", Oral Sci Rep, vol.47, no. 3, pp. 352-361, Aug. 2026.

Chaiyasak, K., Sarnkhaowkhom, C., Therawiwat, M., et al. "Oral Health Behaviors and Predictive Factors Among Parents of Preschoolers in an Industrial Urban Setting: A Case Study in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon, Thailand." Oral Sci Rep, vol.47, no. 3, Aug. 2026, pp. 352-361, https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=560