Assessing Parental Preferences for Children's Oral Health in Rural Areas: A Study on Maintenance and Treatment Choices

AIM

This article investigates the oral health preferences of parents residing in rural areas for their children, including dental maintenance and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 500 parents who sought dental consultation for their children between two and seven years old, excluding those with systemic or neurological disorders. Demographic characteristics, including child and parent age and gender, family structure, and parental education levels, were collected using self-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

The study on oral health preferences of rural parents reveals the following key trends: peak dental treatment interest at six years old (104 children), slight gender disparity favoring males (54.8%), prevalent joint family structures (58%), and families with two children (48%). Most mothers marry before age 21 (62.8%), with varied education levels. Toothpaste and toothbrushes are preferred by the majority (65.2%) for oral hygiene. Common treatments include oral prophylaxis (164), pulpectomy/pulpotomy (114), and extractions (86). However, significant gaps exist: 62.8% do not grasp the importance of primary teeth, and 72% lack knowledge about specific treatments and drug-induced tooth problems, urging targeted educational strategies.

CONCLUSION

The study's outcome focuses on parental preferences for oral hygiene maintenance and their choices for dental treatment in primary dentition. The results highlight the influence of various factors on parental preferences and underscore the importance of improving parental knowledge for better oral health outcomes in rural populations.

Effect of family linked factors on sibling's oral health

The association between family factors and dental caries/dental plaque development in children is of interest. The parents of pediatric age group seeking treatment from the Government Chengalpattu Medical college hospital, who accompanied with two or more siblings, were included. A questionnaire was given to gather data on the parents' socioeconomic status and family size. The children underwent clinical examination to evaluate the state of their oral health. Results showed a significant relationship between dental plaque and caries experience of child with gender, parents' education, occupation and socioeconomic status. So we conclude that the family related factors such as parent's education, occupation, income and SES exerted a definite impact in the oral health of children than the family size and sibling factors.

Predicting a Child's Oral Health Status from the Mother's Oral Health Behavior

OBJECTIVE

 A mother has a decisive role in maintaining children's oral health, especially before the child is of preschool age. The behavior of mother becomes a source of learning for children who can determine the child's condition, including health behavior. This study analyzes the relationship between maternal oral health behavior and children's oral health status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 The research methodology used is a quantitative observational study with a cross-sectional approach to determine the oral health behavior of mothers and children's oral health status. The population of this study were mothers with their first child aged between 3 and 5 years in Tanjungsari, Tanjungsari, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia. The sampling method and technique used nonrandom and consecutive sampling from six health center units which yielded 46 mothers. Correlation analysis was done with chi-squared validity statistical test and Spearman rank correlation.

RESULTS

 The score for the mother's oral health behavior was 75.54, while the score for the child's oral health status was 54.46. The results of the Spearman rank correlation test showed that the maternal oral health behavior score's correlation coefficient (r) was 0.198 (p-value: 0.188). The calculation of the Spearman rank correlation shows that the mother's oral health behavior affects the child's oral health status in the food and beverage consumption selection.

CONCLUSION

 Based on all indicators of maternal oral health behavior studied, the behavior in maternal food and beverage consumption has a relationship with the child's oral health status, namely the better the behavior in the mother's food and drink consumption, the better the child's oral health status. Other indicators of oral health behavior did not show any relationship with the oral health status of children.

Oral Health Attitude with the Socioeconomic Conditions of Mothers with Growth Stunting Children

OBJECTIVE

 This study analyzes the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the attitude of mothers in maintaining the dental health of stunting children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 The research method uses correlational test with Spearman rank. The sampling technique used purposive sampling based on the inclusion criteria of mothers who had stunted children in Lengkong District, Bandung City.

RESULT

 Data analysis by the Spearman Rank resulted p-value of 0.019 (p < 0.05) which leads to a positive relationship between socioeconomic conditions an mother's attitude in maintaining the dental health of stunting children.

CONCLUSION

 From the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the attitude of mothers in maintaining the dental health of stunting children in Lengkong District, Bandung City.