Vol. 10, Issue 4, Part B (2024)

Background: there is a lack of information about the parents’ awareness and knowledge regarding their children's halitosis.
The main aim was to assess the parent's awareness and knowledge of their children's halitosis.
Subjects and Methods: The sample included 160 parents who brought their children to the in- and out-patient departments of a children's hospital in Benghazi, Libya. The parents conducted in-person interviews with their kids and produced written questionnaires beforehand. Formal permission was obtained from the institute's ethical community and the paediatric hospital, and informed consent from parents and children was requested. Questions about dental caries, gingivitis, oral hygiene, and treating the mother's oral halitosis. Additionally, the severity of the halitosis, the parents' awareness of it, and getting treatment for it. It took ten to fifteen minutes.
Results: Of the 160 research children, 98 (61.25%) had the complete halitosis. Of the 84 boys, 51 (60.7%) had halitosis, and 47 (61.8%) of the 76 girls had it. Of the 98 individuals with halitosis, 63.3% had dental caries, 86.0% had gingivitis, 79.0% had neglected oral hygiene, and 85.0% had not cleaned their tongue. Of the mothers with halitosis, 37.3% had it detected, 60.20% had it, 20.41% of the parents were unaware of the issue, and 85% did not seek treatment. 
Conclusion: Halitosis is a condition that many youngsters encounter but decide not to seek treatment for; as a result, both parents and children who suffer from it need to be educated about halitosis.