Caries Prevalence Associated with Oral Health-Related Behaviors among Romanian Schoolchildren

Oral health-related behaviors and living conditions play an important role in general and oral health. This study aimed to evaluate caries prevalence and severity in schoolchildren residing in rural and urban areas of Romania, and to correlate these with oral health-related behaviors. An estimation of the required sample size was conducted (sampling error of ±3% at a 95% confidence level), followed by the stratification of administrative units and then the selection of 49 schools. The Hurdle approach was used to analyze the dataset, requiring two sets of analyses for each outcome variable: a multilevel binary model to predict prevalence, and a multilevel Poisson analysis using only non-zero values. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the dentinal caries index was 4.96 (5.33). Girls were more likely to have non-zero restoration codes (β = 0.14, SE = 0.08, p < 0.05). Low education levels of each parent were associated with an increased likelihood of having non-zero carious tooth surfaces (β = 0.23, SE = 0.06, p = 0.01; β = 0.22, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01). The presence of cavities was predicted by the consumption of carbonated soft drinks (β = 0.19, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01), candies (β = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01), sweetened milk (β = 0.12, SE = 0.06, p < 0.05), tea (β = 0.16, SE =0.08, p < 0.05), or cocoa (β = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the non-zero values of the dentinal caries index were more likely in rural schools (β =−0.37, SE = 0.11, p < 0.01), and a negative association between the county development index and the fillings/restorations index (β = −0.01, SE = 0.01, p < 0.05) was also established. The outcome of this research highlights that the presence of caries (dentinal caries index) in Romanian schoolchildren is influenced by their socioeconomic background, as well as their specific consumption behaviors.

Socioeconomic Factors and Oral Health-Related Behaviours Associated with Dental Caries in Preschool Children from Central Italy (Province of Ascoli Piceno)

Background. Dental caries is a serious oral health concern with high prevalence in preschool children. Aim. To assess the association among oral health-related behaviors, socioeconomic factors, and dental caries in Italian preschool children. Design. 513 preschool children from 3 to 6 years of age, enrolled in nursery schools in central Italy, represent the population of the present study. The children underwent dental clinical examination and were divided on the basis of their caries experience in the primary dentition (“Yes” or “No”). Nonparametric analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the contribution of oral health-related behaviors and socioeconomic factors to the caries experience in the primary dentition. Results. 419 children were caries free, and 94 children had caries experience in the primary dentition, corresponding to the 18.4% of participants. Different oral health-related behaviors and socioeconomic factors resulted to be associated with caries development. In particular, the mother’s foreign nationality results in a strong predictive factor. Conclusions. The multivariate logistic model revealed factors significantly affecting caries experience in the primary dentition, which were the mother’s nationality, the number of dental visits in a year, and the personal impression by the mother.

What Child Oral Health–Related Behaviors Can First-time Mothers Actualize? A Pragmatic Prospective Study

Introduction: First-time pregnant women are considered to be receptive to health information, rendering the prenatal period an opportune time to provide helpful information on the importance of child-related oral health. However, little is known about pregnant women’s knowledge of child oral health–related behaviors (COHBs) during pregnancy and their implementation after birth. We sought to address this knowledge gap by a prospective investigation of intended and actualized oral health behaviors among first-time pregnant women. Methods: We examined relationships between intended and actualized COHBs and their correlations with changes in oral health knowledge, health literacy, general self-efficacy, and dental neglect in a cohort of first-time pregnant clients at Women, Infants, and Children sites in North Carolina—participants of a large community-based study. The COHBs were related to diet (i.e., frequency of fruit juice and sweet snacks consumption and nighttime bottle-feeding) and oral hygiene practices (e.g., performance of daily oral hygiene and use of fluoridated toothpaste). Analyses relied on descriptive statistics and bivariate tests (Student’s t and McNemar’s). Data were collected from 48 participants (White, 44%; African American, 40%; Native American, 17%) at baseline and again at least 12 months after the birth of their first child. Results: On average, most mothers actualized 3 of 5 COHBs (range, 1 to 4). Significant differences between before and after birth were noted for frequency of sweet snacks consumption and putting the baby in bed with a bottle. No correlation was found between knowledge, literacy, self-efficacy, neglect, and sociodemographic characteristics and COHB actualization. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that first-time mothers in the studied population are likely to implement some but not all positive intended COHBs during pregnancy. Interventions are needed to assist women in implementing these practices. We support that, for prenatal interventional efforts to reap positive benefits, messaging should be personalized and include specific guidance on how to implement these recommendations. Knowledge Transfer Statement: A knowledge gap exists in our understanding of the relationship between first-time mothers’ intended and actualized child oral health behaviors, with implications in the optimal timing of infant and early childhood oral health messaging. Our findings suggest that first-time mothers are likely to implement some but not all positive behaviors that they intended to adopt during pregnancy. Interventions are needed to assist women in implementing these practices.