Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the current study was to explore the factors influencing dental caries among 3–5-year-old children in Sichuan Province and the interrelationship between these factors using structural equation modelling (SEM).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 2746 3–5-year-old children in Sichuan Province. Examination of caries was conducted on all children and a questionnaire was answered by the children’s caregiver. SEM alternative models were constructed to interpret the intricate relationships between socio-economic status (SES), caregiver’s oral health knowledge, attitudes, children’s oral health behaviours and children’s dental caries.ResultThe results showed that dental caries were significantly associated with dietary behaviours (β = 0.11, SE = 0.03, P = 0.001, BC 95% CI =0.05/0.18) and SES (β = − 0.17, SE = 0.03, P<0.001, BC 95% CI = -0.23/− 0.10) directly, While the indirect effect of SES on dmft is in an opposite direction (β = 0.08, SE = 0.02, BC 95% CI = 0.04/0.12).ConclusionWe found that unhealthy dietary behaviours increased the prevalence of dental caries. However, oral health knowledge and attitude failed to affect dietary behaviour in this model. This result warns that oral health education should strengthen feeding-related knowledge. Meanwhile, it also reminds that it is easier known than done. Future oral health education should focus on exploring a more effective way for the public to turn knowledge into action.
Highlights
The aim of the current study was to explore the factors influencing dental caries among 3–5-year-old children in Sichuan Province and the interrelationship between these factors using structural equation modelling (SEM)
We found that unhealthy dietary behaviours increased the prevalence of dental caries
GOF measures for the models are shown (Table 4); the χ2/df, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA), GOF index (GFI), normed fit index (NFI), comparative fit index (CFI), PGFI, and PNFI of model 1 and model 2 were all close to or better than the recommended fit and model 1 is much better than model 2
Summary
The aim of the current study was to explore the factors influencing dental caries among 3–5-year-old children in Sichuan Province and the interrelationship between these factors using structural equation modelling (SEM). Dental caries is one of the most severe chronic diseases among children in both developed and developing countries [1]. Untreated dental caries may cause severe pain and mouth infection [2], which affects children’s. It is recognized that dental caries is caused by a multiplicity of factors, including behaviours like tooth brushing and sugar intake [4, 5]. The knowledge-Attitude-Behaviour (KAB) model, which is developed as a health promotion model and frequently used to assess behaviour change, has been proposed as a way of explaining the role of knowledge [6]. It explains that a person’s knowledge directly affects attitudes, and indirectly affects behaviours through attitudes [6].
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