Parental knowledge and consumption of probiotics: a cross-sectional study in a pediatric dentistry clinic in Turkey

Background: This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and consumption habits regarding probiotic products in a paediatric dentistry setting. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire was administered to 352 parents who visited the Mersin University Paediatric Dentistry Clinic between October 2023 and March 2024. Power analysis was conducted using the GPower 3.1 package program with a 95% confidence level, a medium effect size, and an 80% power value. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V23. Results: Parental knowledge of probiotics increased significantly with educational level, with mothers demonstrating higher awareness than fathers (p < 0.001). Most parents identified probiotics as beneficial (p = 0.006), primarily for digestive and intestinal health, while many also recognized their positive effects on oral health, particularly in preventing dental caries. Parents were indecisive regarding the co-administration of probiotics with antibiotics. Most parents reported giving their children probiotic products once a day, with a lack of knowledge being cited as the main reason for non-use. Brand and content were the most influential factors in purchasing decisions. Yoghurt was the most commonly given probiotic food, followed by kefir and pickles, with a greater preference observed among more educated parents. Conclusions: Despite the growing interest in probiotics, parents’ knowledge of their oral and dental health effects and their use in conjunction with antibiotics is limited. The fact that probiotic use depends on knowledge, and that awareness increases with higher education levels, highlights the need to raise parental awareness and education about the health benefits of probiotics.