Relationship between dental status and family, school and socioeconomic level

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the knowledge, attitudes, practices and formal schooling ofparents and the oral health status in schoolchildren enrolled in educational institutions of different socioeconomic levels, using dental caries as the tracer disease. A convenience sample of 300 school children aged 6-14 years old and living in Mar del Plata city, Argentina, was composed according to income characterization in three strata: low, middle and high income. The children were grouped according to age (6-8, 9-11 and 12-14 years old). A validated questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and oral health practices was administered to parents. Children were examined for dental and gingival status. DMFS, dmfs, plaque and gingival bleeding indexes were determined. Mean and SEM and/or frequency distribution of each variable were determined and diferences assessed by ANOVA, chi-squared, Yates chi-squared and Scheffé tests (p < 0.05). Association among variables was tested by chi-squared test. The children from low income families showed significantly higher levels oforal disease in all the studied age groups. These families revealed significantly less healthy practices and attitudes along with lower formal schooling level. Dental indicators were inversely and significantly associated with parents' knowledge, attitudes and formal schooling and with plaque index. Bleeding on probing was inversely and significantly associated with plaque index, parents 'formal schooling and practices. Plaque index was found to be inversely associated with parents' knowledge, attitudes and formal schooling. Parents 'knowledge, formal schooling, attitudes and health practices are intervening variables on oral health status ofschool children and an intervention field with potential impactfor the oral component of health.