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Caries increment in young children in Skaraborg, Sweden: associations with parental sociodemography, health habits, and attitudes
Author(s) -
Östberg AnnaLena,
Skeie Marit S.,
Skaare Anne B.,
Espelid Ivar
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12225
Subject(s) - medicine , logistic regression , demography , cronbach's alpha , multivariate analysis , bivariate analysis , longitudinal study , pediatrics , family medicine , clinical psychology , statistics , mathematics , sociology , psychometrics , pathology
Aim To explore parental sociodemography, oral health habits, and attitudes in relation to dental caries increment in their children. Design A longitudinal questionnaire and clinical study. The children were followed annually from age 3 years ( n = 271) to 6 years ( n = 243). Carious lesions of different depth were registered (initial and manifest) by four calibrated dentists. The parents filled out a questionnaire. Statistics included factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha together with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Most of the parents exhibited positive health behaviour and attitudes. ‘Late start of toothbrushing of child’ was, however, common (≥1 year; 29%) and ‘external locus of control’ showed a high mean value (10,1; possible range 3–15). In a multivariate model, ‘parent born abroad’ ( OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.85–5.76) and ‘parental indulgence’ ( OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.37–7.51) were the most important for the development of carious lesions in the children. Conclusions This study identified ‘parent born abroad’ and ‘parental indulgence’ as significant risk factors for caries in the age period 3 to 6 years. Identifying parents with the greatest need should be emphasized, in order to target promotion and prevention activities.