The relationship between socio-behavioural factors in family environment and dental caries development in children

Abstract

Objective: the assessment of the relationship between socio–behavioural factors in family environment and dental caries in school age children. In the case–control study, 82 children between the ages of 11 and 14 were clinically examined. In the research batch (L1) were included 41 subjects with dental caries. The control group (Lo) consisted of 41 children without caries. There were studied dental caries indices dental caries experience. Socio–behavioural factors in the family environment were collected using the questionnaire method. The analysis of the data achieved was performed using parametric and non–parametric tests of Excel Software and Epi Info. In order to determine if there are associations between the studied variables, the Spearman correlation coefficient has been valued. There were positive, strong and very strong correlations between the indicators of dental caries damage and the following factors: the mother’s level of education (incomplete secondary education) ρ=0.86, p<0.01, the parental check absence of oral hygiene (ρ=0.84, p<0.001), the preventive examination refusal and dental treatment (ρ=0.79, p<0.01). Conclusions: the establishment of socio–behavioural risk factors in the family environment is relevant to the creation of a health policy aimed at meeting the needs of the population, with the establishment of a hierarchy of care’s priority and evaluation of sources allocated for the implementation of oral hygiene programs, the achievement of dental diseases treatment and the implementation of preventive measures.