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Article History

Received: 5 March 2026

Accepted: 7 July 2026

First Online: 23 July 2026

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate: The ethical clearance certificate (ERC/FDS/UOP/I/2021/45) was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, on 12th October 2021. According to that, Information regarding the research was conveyed to parents or guardians by a typed information sheet in a manner and a language suitable to the individual’s level of understanding. The participants were given adequate opportunity to ask questions, and they were answered honestly and completely. Parents or guardians were made aware that they were free to withdraw their consent at any time without trepidation of consequences. Finally, the consent was obtained as a signature on a consent form that explicitly stated what was being consented to. Participants were not subjected to coercion, inducement, undue influence, or deception at any cost.

Consent for publication: Parents or guardians were informed that these data would be published in journal articles, and consent was obtained as a signature on a consent form.

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.