Do Parenting Styles Affect Children's Oral Health in Saudi Arabia?

Maram A Alagla,Latifa Alhowaish,Aljohara Al Hussyeen

doi:10.7759/cureus.6002

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of the study is to correlate the parenting styles of parents with the oral health of their children, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Study designTwo hundred and eighty healthy preschool children, who have never been to the dentist, were recruited. Parenting style was determined by the Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and simplified debris index (DI-S) were used for the diagnosis of dental caries and oral hygiene of the children respectively.ResultsTwo parenting styles were identified among Saudi parents; authoritative (94%, n = 265) and permissive (6%, n = 17). The majority of children were brushing by themselves (n = 130, 46.1%) and once per day (n = 163, 57.8%). Significant correlations were detected between parenting style and children’s brushing times (P-value of 0.016) and the number of meals consumed by children (P-value of 0.031). The age of the child and oral hygiene score were significantly correlated to dental caries (P-value < 0.05).ConclusionTwo parenting styles were identified among Saudi parents. Parenting style influenced the child’s oral health but not significantly. Early childhood caries and fair to poor oral hygiene were commonly detected among children. Clinically interesting correlations were identified regarding factors affecting the child’s oral health status.

Highlights

Parentship is a special phase that individuals pass through and is full of positive and negative attitudes that parents can make in the process of raising their children
Significant correlations were detected between parenting style and children’s brushing times (Pvalue of 0.016) and the number of meals consumed by children (P-value of 0.031)
The age of the child and oral hygiene score were significantly correlated to dental caries (P-value < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Parentship is a special phase that individuals pass through and is full of positive and negative attitudes that parents can make in the process of raising their children. Parent responsiveness indicates the level a parent responds to his or her child’s needs and demands It involves the warmth, supportiveness, self-assertion, and regulation and accepting the individuality of each child to become a healthy and mature adult [5]. On the other hand, is the efforts parents make to align the behavior of their children by guidance, supervision, and disciplinary acts to make the child’s behavior integrates with the family and society [4]. The balance between these two arms determines the style of parenting [3]. You can stop your participation at any time and you will not lose any benefits

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion