Clinical Consequences of Dental Caries, Parents’ Perception of Child’s Oral Health and Attitudes towards Dental Visits in a Population of 7-Year-Old Children

Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek, Maria Borysewicz-Lewicka, Kinga Andrysiak, Zuzanna Witkowska, Alicja Hoffmann-Przybylska, Piotr Przybylski, Ewa Walicka and Karolina Gerreth
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Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Maria Borysewicz-Lewicka: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Kinga Andrysiak: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Zuzanna Witkowska: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Alicja Hoffmann-Przybylska: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Piotr Przybylski: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Ewa Walicka: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Karolina Gerreth: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the occurrence of the consequences of dental caries and factors affecting dental service utilization in a population of 7-year-old children. The research included oral examination of 7-year-old schoolchildren and socio-medical study of their parents/legal caregivers. It was carried out in five primary schools of two provinces, i.e., Greater Poland and Lubusz. Dental examination was performed in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The socio-medical study consisted of questionnaires with close-ended questions concerning socioeconomic characteristics of the family, reasons and time of the last visit at the dental office, consequences of child’s oral health problems, parents’ attitude towards dental visits, and parental opinion about their child’s teeth. Factors affecting utilization of dental services were statistically analyzed using univariate logistic regression assuming p < 0.05. The pufa index of examined children ranged from 0 to 7 (mean 0.80 ± 1.49), while the dmf index ranged from 0 to 14 (3.86 ± 3.32). Low financial burden of oral health expenditures and university education of at least one of the parents significantly increased the chance of visiting a dentist despite lack of pain (OR = 3.0 and 2.5, respectively). In spite of the availability of free dental care for children, socioeconomic factors still determine the utilization of dental services in Poland. Poor oral health status of examined population and negligence of regular dental check-ups emphasize a need to strengthen oral health literacy of parents and children, promoting proper attitudes towards dental care.

Keywords: dental caries; complications; oral health care; schoolchildren; 7-year-olds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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