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

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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.

Material and methods

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.

Results

A total sample of 1,047 patients was obtained, with 497 in Brazil and 550 in Colombia. Regarding attitudes towards oral health, a significant correlation was observed in both countries in terms of parents’ and children’s responses from caregivers (P < 0.05). According to the unadjusted results between socioeconomic factors and the prevalence of untreated caries, a statistically significant association was observed regarding the age of the children and the educational level of the mothers in both countries, and regarding the socioeconomic status of the families in Colombia (P < 0.05). Considering the variables of oral health, a statistically significant relationship was found in Brazil regarding brushing time, fluoride use, responsibility for brushing, and the prevalence of untreated caries (P < 0.05). Significant associations were found in both countries between the prevalence of untreated caries and factors such as sugar consumption, satisfaction with children’s oral health, and frequency of dental visits (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Untreated caries in infants and preschoolers are influenced by socioeconomic status, maternal education, sugar consumption, oral hygiene, and parents’ beliefs about primary dentition.

Study Design

Cross-sectional epidemiological study.

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