Objectives The aims of the present study were to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward early childhood caries (ECC) in a group of Qatari parents and to assess the association of sociodemographic factors on their KAP. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study which was based on a piloted self-administered questionnaire was conveniently distributed to parents who attended the Pediatric Dentistry Section, Hamad Dental Center (HDC), Doha, Qatar. The questionnaire comprised four parts which asked about sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A score for each domain was given based on the percentage of correct answers. Statistical Analysis Descriptive and analytical statistics were employed. For descriptive statistics, frequency of distribution in relation to sociodemographic characteristics and responses to items of the questionnaire were presented. For analytical statistics, associations between independent variables and KAP were employed using Chi-squared tests. Results The overall mean scores of KAP were 60.8%, 65.6% and 72.7%, respectively. Females had significantly higher percentages of correct answers than males (p = 0.001). Only 20% of females had poor knowledge, while it was 40% in males. Parents with university or higher degrees had significantly higher percentage of good attitudes than parents with preparatory or less education (p = 0.05). Areas that necessitated improvement by parents included the following: the amount of toothpaste needed for brushing, signs of tooth demineralization, bacteria that causes tooth decay can be transmitted from mother to her child, and tooth decay can be transmitted by sharing utensils (i.e., spoons, forks). Conclusions The overall KAP of parents toward ECC was relatively fair. However, certain socioeconomic factors (SEF) seemed to influence each domain, and areas of improvement are needed. Areas of improvement are needed in each domain. Mothers were significantly more knowledgeable than fathers regarding oral health issues of their children. Highly educated parents demonstrated better attitudes than the less educated. Continuous educational programs coordinated by health regulatory bodies should be introduced to improve parents' KAP regarding ECC risk factors and prevention.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in relation to oral health in children attending baby well clinics in primary health care centers (PHCC) in Qatar. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional design was adopted in which a piloted self-administered questionnaire was sent electronically to 417 physicians (pediatricians/family physicians) practicing in all PHCCs in Qatar. The questionnaire gathered information concerning demographic characteristics and KAP in relation to oral health in children. A score for each domain was given based on the percentage of correct answers. Statistical Analysis Descriptive and analytical statistics were employed. For descriptive statistics, the frequency of distribution in relation to demographic data and responses to items of the questionnaire was presented. For analytical statistics, associations between independent variables (predictors) and KAP were assessed by employing univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Predictors which were significantly associated in the unadjusted regression were entered into a final multivariate logistic regression to evaluate their effects after adjustment. Results The response rate was 24%. The overall mean scores of KAP were 61, 60, and 44.4%, respectively. Females were more likely to give positive answers than males (odds ratio [OR] = 12.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4–62.2, p = 0.02). Age groups 35 to 45 and >45 years had significantly more correct answers than <35 years age group (OR= 7.5, 95% CI = 1.1–56.6 and 9.2, 95% CI 1.2–44.6, respectively, p = 0.05). No significant associations were found between any of the independent variables with attitudes. With respect to practices, multivariate logistic regression revealed that specialty was significantly associated with practices. Pediatricians were more likely to adopt positive practices when compared with family medicine physicians (OR, 95% CI = 5.3 (1–25.6), p = 0.04). Conclusion Although physicians demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge and attitudes, this did not reflect positively on their practices. The overall score of practices was considered poor (44.4%). Poor practices in our sample reflected an urgent need for actions and plans to improve this aspect and confirmed other findings which stated that acceptable levels of knowledge or attitudes do not necessarily translate into favorable practices.