Purpose <p>To evaluate the effect of socio-economic background on oral health knowledge and cultural beliefs of parents and associate knowledge to proactive behaviours.</p> Methods <p>This is a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample consisting of parents seeking dental care for their children at two different dental centres. Data were collected via a structured, interview-based questionnaire, covering demographic characteristics and parental oral health knowledge and behaviours. Analysis was performed based on parental socioeconomic background determined by monthly family income (&lt; 1400€ low, 1400–2500€ medium). Differences within and between groups were assessed using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests and associations with demographic or behavioural characteristics using multivariate regression analysis (statistical significance <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05).</p> Results <p>Of the participants, 111 were from low and 105 from medium socio-economic backgrounds, with the latter demonstrating significantly better oral health knowledge and more proactive behaviours, such as regular preventive dental visits and lower consumption of sugary snacks (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Parents from low socio-economic backgrounds showed poor knowledge regarding aetiopathogenesis of common dental diseases, with significant differences for the effect of microbes in dental plaque accumulation formation (<i>p</i> = <i>0.03</i>) and for brushing (<i>p</i> = <i>0.02</i>) and sugary snack consumption (<i>p</i> = <i>0.04</i>) in caries development. Multivariate regression analysis showed that area of residency and mother’s occupation were significantly associated with decreased knowledge, that was associated with infrequent brushing and frequent sugary snack consumption.</p> Conclusion <p>Significant associations highlighted the need for targeted educational interventions and public health policies to reduce oral health disparities and improve awareness.</p>