An Assessment of Pediatric Dental Caries and Family Quality of Life in an Informal Amazonian Community

Factors Influencing Adolescents' Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes Towards Oral Health in the Rupa-Rupa District, Peru

Aim

This study aimed to identify factors associated with adolescents' knowledge, practices, and attitudes (KPA-OH) regarding oral health in the Rupa-Rupa district, a high jungle region of Peru.

Materials and Methods

An analytical study was conducted with a sample of 408 adolescents (aged 13-17 years) from seven public schools in the Rupa-Rupa district (elevation: 649 meters above sea level). The sample was stratified by sex, age, and school. Data were collected using a 49-item questionnaire, which included sections on knowledge (10 items), practices (10 items), and attitudes (13 items) toward oral health, as well as 16 sociodemographic variables. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed (KMO ≥ 0.537, Bartlett's test: P < 0.001, ω ≥ 0.7). Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze associations, with significance set at P < 0.05, using Jamovi software.

Results

Correct knowledge regarding oral health was highest for understanding the functions of teeth (speech, chewing), the link between caries and bacteria-sugar interaction, the relationship between gingivitis and gum inflammation, fluoride as a remineralizing agent, and the use of dental floss for cleanliness (73.3%-99.8%). Appropriate oral health practices, such as using an individual toothbrush, replacing it quarterly, and brushing twice a day for 2 minutes (89.8%-99.8%), were associated with being the only child and not having reading difficulties (P ≤ 0.03). Positive attitudes toward brushing and dental visits for caries and gingivitis prevention were more prevalent in females (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses revealed that demographic factors explained 21.4% of the variance in oral health knowledge (F = 2.05, P < 0.001), but had no significant predictive value for oral health practices (P = 0.127) or attitudes (P = 0.230). Significant predictors of better knowledge included being female (β = 0.3257, P = 0.026), aged 15-17 years (β = 0.6477-0.8246, P ≤ 0.006), and having part-time employed parents (β = 0.5097, P = 0.007). Negative associations with knowledge were observed in adolescents with reading difficulties (β = -0.6376, P = 0.018) and comorbidities (β = -0.5405, P = 0.031).

Conclusion

Factors such as sex, age, sibling position, general health, reading abilities, and parental employment status were found to influence adolescents' oral health knowledge, practices, and attitudes. Clinically, these findings suggest that targeted oral health education programs should consider these demographic factors, especially for adolescents with reading difficulties and comorbidities, to improve oral health outcomes in underserved populations. The results also highlight the need for interventions that emphasize preventive oral health practices, particularly among younger adolescents and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Caries Experience and Treatment Needs in Urban and Rural Environments in School-Age Children from Three Provinces of Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Study

In Ecuador, national epidemiological surveys have not been updated; however, some regional studies in the northern areas of the country still report a high prevalence of dental caries. The aim of this study was to determine the experience, severity, and need for treatment of dental caries in school children aged 6 to 12 years in urban and rural settings in three provinces of southern Ecuador. This cross-sectional, relational study examined 1938 schoolchildren in the provinces of Azuay, Cañar, and Morona Santiago. The survey instruments were based mainly on the WHO manual Methods of Oral Health Surveys (dmft) for primary and permanent dentition (DMFT), as well as the prevalence, severity, and Significant Caries Index (SCI). The parametric Student’s t-test was used to compare two groups, and the Spearman’s Rho and Tau-c Kendall correlation coefficients were used to associate the categorical variables. Results: The prevalence of caries in the primary dentition was 78% and 89.2% in the permanent dentition. The dmft (M = 4.12, SD = 2.86) and DMFT (M = 3.62: SD = 3.07) placed the general group in a moderate caries index. The need for treatment was 90.68% in the primary dentition, while it was 87.99% in the permanent dentition. Caries severity in both dentitions was high (M = 7.74; SD = 3.42). Conclusions. Alarming indicators of caries experience and the need for treatment were observed in the population studied.

The Role of Parenting Practices on the Parent Perceived Impact of Child Oral Health on Family Wellbeing

BACKGROUND

Family characteristics and parenting practices could significantly influence child oral health and the impact of child oral health on family wellbeing.

AIM

To determine the association between parenting practices and parent-perceived impact of children's oral health condition on family wellbeing.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1539 school children in India. Parents answered the short form of FIS (Family Impact Scale), and PCRQ (parent-child relationship questionnaire) to assess the impact of the child's oral health on family and parenting practices, respectively. Two factors emerged on factor analysis of PCRQ: 'Positive parenting' and 'Power assertive parenting'. The intra-oral examination was conducted for children to assess their dental caries experience and gingival health status. Unadjusted linear regression and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used to determine the influence of parenting practices on FIS.

RESULTS

An increase in power assertion (B = 1.16) parenting was associated with increased FIS scores indicating a higher adverse impact of the child's oral health on family wellbeing when parents used more power assertive parenting practices. On the other hand, an increase in positive parenting (B = -1.27) was associated with decreased FIS scores, indicating a lesser impact of child's oral health on family wellbeing when parents used more positive parenting practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Parenting practices were associated with parents' perceptions of the effect of children's oral health on family wellbeing.