Association between Parental Behavior and Child's Oral Health among 3-5-year-old Children in Bengaluru City

Aim

Parental behavior is known to influence the well-being and disease outcomes in children. The environment which they create for the child can influence oral health behaviors and status. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the association of parental behavior with oral health status among 3-5-year-old children in Bengaluru city.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 children aged 3-5 years. The child's demographic profile including socioeconomic status, dental history, oral habits, and oral hygiene practices was recorded. A 21-item prevalidated Parenting Style and Dimension Questionnaire (PSDQ) was used to assess parental behavior. WHO oral health pro forma (2013) was used to assess the oral health status of children. Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U-test and binary logistic regression were applied. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05.

Results

The majority of parents were authoritative (64.0%). The mean age of children was 4.15 ± 0.74 years. Sixty-one percent of the children had caries experience. The permissive group had a higher mean dmft (4.25 ± 3.43) than the authoritarian (2.1 ± 1.67) and authoritative group (1.51 ± 1.94) (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between authoritative and permissive (p < 0.001) and authoritarian and permissive (p < 0.001) groups for dt and dmft. Parenting style was significantly associated with dental caries and trauma.

Conclusion

There is an association between parental behavior and oral health status among 3-5-year-old children. Hence, a prior appraisal of parental behavior is suggested for better oral health outcomes in children.

Clinical significance

A prior appraisal of parenting style aids the clinician in the more efficient management of children through proper choice of behavior guidance technique.

How to cite this article

Sabbarwal B, Puranik MP, SR Uma. Association between Parental Behavior and Child's Oral Health among 3-5-year-old Children in Bengaluru City. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(6):677-681.

Practice Perspectives of Left-Handed Clinical Dental Students in India

INTRODUCTION

Handedness becomes important for students during their training period. Limited literature is available regarding the same.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to assess the dental practice perspectives and determine the hand preference and discomfort level among the Left-Handed (LH) clinical dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 30-item survey tool was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey among four successive LH cohorts (third and final year undergraduates, dental interns and postgraduates) in all the dental colleges of Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, during the year 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 84 students completed the survey, response rate being 100%. About one-third (37%) reported that their institution was not properly equipped to accommodate LH students. Majority felt that LH dentists were at a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal complications. Mouth mirror handling showed equal distribution for handedness as compared to the other dental activities, whereas discomfort levels were negligible ("without any difficulty"). Dental practice perspective scores significantly correlated with the difficulty levels (r=-0.333, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the left-handers had a right dental practice perspective and their responses indicate a need to address their issues empathetically.

Clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available gel and powder containing Acacia arabica on gingivitis

BACKGROUND

There is a need for an anti-plaque agent that can be used on a daily basis without the side effects of antibacterial chemicals such as chlorhexidine. The present study was designed to evaluate the clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available gel and powder containing Acacia arabica in subjects with gingivitis.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty subjects with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 - placebo group; Group 2 -Acacia arabica gel group; Group 3 -Acacia arabica powder group; and Group 4 - 1% chlorhexidine gel group. Microbial counts of plaque samples, the gingival index of Loe and Silness and the plaque index were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Microbial counts of plaque samples were evaluated at all visits.

RESULTS

Acacia arabica gel and powder showed significant clinical improvement in gingival and plaque index scores as compared to a placebo. This improvement was comparable to 1% chlorhexidine gel. The difference between gel and powder with regard to clinical and microbiological parameters was not found to be significant at any time interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Both Acacia arabica gel and powder may be useful herbal formulations for chemical plaque control in subjects with gingivitis.