Exploring the Relationships between Children’s Oral Health and Parents’ Oral Health Knowledge, Literacy, Behaviours and Adherence to Recommendations: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Ewelina Chawłowska (), Monika Karasiewicz, Agnieszka Lipiak, Mateusz Cofta, Brittany Fechner, Agnieszka Lewicka-Rabska, Agata Pruciak and Karolina Gerreth
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Ewelina Chawłowska: Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Monika Karasiewicz: Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Agnieszka Lipiak: Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Mateusz Cofta: Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Brittany Fechner: Laboratory of International Health, Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
Agnieszka Lewicka-Rabska: Department of Hypertension, Angiology and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-848 Poznan, Poland
Agata Pruciak: Institute of Plant Protection-National Research Institute, Research Centre of Quarantine, Invasive and Genetically Modified Organisms, 60-318 Poznan, Poland
Karolina Gerreth: Department of Risk Group Dentistry, Chair of Paediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: Although preventable, early childhood caries (ECC) is a burdening condition in all WHO regions, with Poland being one of the most affected countries in Europe. Effective home-based prevention of ECC is available and recommended by several expert bodies. Therefore, we wanted to determine how well parents were following selected oral health recommendations in preschool children. Additionally, we wanted to determine which socioeconomic factors influenced such practices the most, and how parents’ oral health literacy and behaviours affected the oral hygiene and oral health status of their children. A cross-sectional survey involving 2338 parents and caregivers of children from 167 kindergartens was performed. Children’s oral hygiene and oral health status were found to be associated with parents’ education and economic status. They were also strongly influenced by parental health literacy and behaviours. With respect to recommendations for preschoolers, the lowest adherence was found in the use of fluoride toothpaste and its age-appropriate amount, supervision of toothbrushing, and refraining from eating after last toothbrushing. The improvement in these areas could be achieved thanks to the involvement of health professionals such as gynaecologists, midwives, and primary care personnel in efforts aimed at increasing parents’ oral health knowledge and literacy.

Keywords: health knowledge; oral behaviours; oral health literacy; dental health; home-based health promotion; early childhood caries; preschool children; parents; recommendations; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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