Association between socioeconomic factors, attitudes and beliefs regarding the primary dentition and caries in children aged 1–5 years of Brazilian and Colombian parents.

Authors

  • J Abanto Paediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona
  • S Diaz Cárdenas Faculty of Dentistry, University of Cartagena
  • A Veloso Duran Paediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona
  • M Garza Paediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona
  • V Reis Brigato Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Leopoldo Mandic, São Paulo
  • F Guinot Paediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - Servicio de Odontopediatría. Hospital HM Nens, HM Hospitales/UCJC. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria HM Hospitales UCJC

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2024.2102

Keywords:

Early Childhood Caries (ECC), primary dentition, parents influence, socioeconomic factors, oral health

Abstract

AIM: To compare how parents' attitudes, knowledge, and sociodemographic characteristics influence untreated early childhood caries in infants and preschoolers in Brazil and Colombia. BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a prevalent chronic disease affecting children worldwide. However, little research has explored the connection between parents' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about oral health and the occurrence of dental caries in their children's primary teeth. MATERIALS: Oral health information was evaluated in children aged 3 to 5 years with a questionnaire covering sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables, family information and questions about health knowledge and child's and parents' oral health. In addition, oral examinations have been carried out to determine the prevalence of untreated dental caries. A p-value of 0.05 and 95% reliability level were considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Untreated caries in infants and preschoolers are influenced by socioeconomic status, maternal education, sugar consumption, oral hygiene, and parents' beliefs about primary dentition.