Fewer Children in Families Associated with Lower Odds of Early Childhood Caries: A Sample from Three Countries

Amy H. Park (), Rachel J. Kulchar (), Sita Manasa Susarla, Bathsheba Turton and Karen Sokal-Gutierrez
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Amy H. Park: Rausser College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
Rachel J. Kulchar: Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
Sita Manasa Susarla: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
Bathsheba Turton: Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
Karen Sokal-Gutierrez: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Childhood caries experience is influenced by family characteristics and oral health practices in the context of many social-commercial determinants. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between families’ number of children, oral health practices and child caries experience in a convenience sample of 1374 children aged 6 months through 6 years and their families from Ecuador, Nepal, and Vietnam. Data were collected by mother interviews and child dental exams. Multivariate logistic and Zero-Inflated-Poisson regression analyses assessed associations between number of children, oral health practices and decayed, missing or filled teeth (dmft). Families had a mean of 2.2 children (range 1–12); 72% of children had tooth decay, with mean dmft of 5.4. Adjusting for child age, sex, and urban/rural location, a greater number of children in the family was associated with significantly less likelihood of unhealthy bottle feeding practices, having a toothbrush/toothpaste and parent helping child brush, and being cavity-free; higher number of dmft, and greater likelihood of having a dental visit. Early childhood oral health promotion should include focus on oral hygiene and healthy feeding—particularly breastfeeding and healthy bottle feeding practices—as well as access to family planning services and support for childcare.

Keywords: social determinants of health; child; oral health; dental caries; siblings; family characteristics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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