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Parental and family‐related influences on dental caries in children of D utch, M oroccan and T urkish origin
Author(s) -
Duijster Denise,
JongLenters Maddelon,
Ruiter Corine,
Thijssen Jill,
Loveren Cor ,
Verrips Erik
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/cdoe.12134
Subject(s) - medicine , ethnic group , oral health , developmental psychology , family medicine , psychology , sociology , anthropology
Objectives The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the relationship between parental and family‐related factors and childhood dental caries in a sample of 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children of D utch, M oroccan and T urkish origin. Furthermore, the relationship of parental and family‐related factors with social class and ethnicity was examined. Methods The study sample included 92 parent–child dyads (46 cases and 46 controls), which were recruited from a large paediatric dental centre in The H ague, the N etherlands. Cases were children with four or more decayed, missing or filled teeth, and controls were caries free. Validated questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, oral health behaviours, parents’ dental self‐efficacy and locus of control (LoC), parenting practices and family functioning. Parenting practices were also assessed using structured video observations of parent–child interactions. Results Parents of controls had a more internal LoC, and they were more likely to show positive (observed) parenting in terms of positive involvement, encouragement and problem‐solving, compared to cases ( P < 0.05). Lower social class was significantly associated with a lower dental self‐efficacy, a more external LoC and poorer parenting practices. Furthermore, LoC was more external in M oroccan and T urkish parents, compared to D utch parents. Conclusion Parents’ internal LoC and observed positive parenting practices on the dimensions positive involvement, encouragement and problem‐solving were important indicators of dental health in children of D utch, M oroccan and T urkish origin. Findings suggest that these parental factors are potential mediators of socioeconomic inequalities in children's dental health.