Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between parental eating behavior and untreated early childhood caries (ECC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 432 parent-child dyads with children aged 18 to 36 months, at Municipal Child Education Centers in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil. The parents answered a questionnaire addressing demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and the children were examined for dental caries (modified dmft index) by a single examiner (kappa = 0.80). A six-item questionnaire was administered addressing parental food consumption, parental control of the child's food consumption, and parental offering of foods to the child. Three items were considered indicative of positive behavior, and three, of negative behavior. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses with robust variance were used for the data analysis (α = 0.05). The prevalence of untreated ECC was 20.3% (95%CI: 16.7-24.4). In the multiple regression model adjusted for the child's age and the parent's schooling, negative parental behavior was associated with a greater frequency of untreated ECC (PRa = 1.213; 95%CI:1.032-1.427, p = 0.019), but lost its significance when adjusted by positive parental behavior (PRa = 1.156; 95%CI: 0.983-1.358, p = 0.079). Based on the present findings, positive parental eating behaviors are capable of minimizing the impact of negative parental behaviors on the prevalence of untreated early childhood caries.
Highlights
Dental caries continues to be a challenge to public health
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of preschool children aged 18 months to 35 months and 29 days enrolled full-time at the Municipal Child Education Centers in the city of São José dos Pinhais, in southern Brazil
The main finding of the present study was that negative parental eating behavior is related to a greater frequency of untreated early childhood caries (ECC)
Summary
Dental caries continues to be a challenge to public health. This highly prevalent disease exerts an impact on the quality of life of children and their families, and generates substantial costs.[1,2] The literature clearly indicates that sugar intake is the main factor associated with the development of caries.[3,4] reducing this intake continues to pose a major challenge to families.Studies have indicated that parental factors are predictors of healthy behavior in children, such as the habit of brushing one’s teeth,[5] and the adoption of healthy eating practices.[6]. Dental caries continues to be a challenge to public health. This highly prevalent disease exerts an impact on the quality of life of children and their families, and generates substantial costs.[1,2] The literature clearly indicates that sugar intake is the main factor associated with the development of caries.[3,4] reducing this intake continues to pose a major challenge to families. Studies have indicated that parental factors are predictors of healthy behavior in children, such as the habit of brushing one’s teeth,[5] and the adoption of healthy eating practices.[6] The models set by, the attitudes shown by, and the foods offered by the family contribute to defining the eating behavior of children.[6,7,8] the home environment is capable of encouraging both healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors
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