Tooth brushing and social characteristics of families in 32 countries

To compare the reported tooth brushing behaviour among adolescents in relation to age, gender and parental occupation, family affluence, single parent family and at least one parent not working but staying at home.

Representative samples of 11-, 13- and 15 year old pupils in 32 countries completed an anonymous standardised questionnaire during school hours.

Large differences in prevalences of reported tooth brushing were found between countries for both genders: from 16-80 % for boys and 26-89% for girls. In some countries the prevalence of more-than-once-a-day tooth brushing increased by increasing age, whereas in others it declined. High occupational status and family affluence were clearly related to a high prevalence of more-than-once-a-day tooth brushing. Children living in two parent families had higher prevalences of recommended tooth brushing in only a few countries.

Within the European continent and in North America, gender, family affluence and parental occupation were significantly associated with reported tooth brushing frequency among adolescents. The association between family characteristics, such as absence of one of the parents and the supervisory role of the parents, and brushing behaviour of the children appeared to be rather weak and inconsistent.