Female Caregivers' Depression Risk Affects Children's Attendance to Dental Appointments: A Pilot Study

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the association between women's depression risk and their children's return for dental treatment. A total of 175 female caregivers of children presenting for an initial dental examination between May and October 2019 at a university clinic answered demographic questions and a validated survey on depression risk. An analysis of caregiver's depression risk relative to children's attendance at the next treatment appointment was made. One hundred and eight female caregivers were included in the analysis. Average age was 33 years (standard deviation ± 6.5 years), and 52 percent were Hispanic. The rate of risk for depression was 17.5 percent. Most women at risk lived at least 20 miles away, had an income of less than $29,999, were unemployed or employed part-time, and had no help with childcare. White caregivers were more likely to fail to attend their child's appointment (chi-square [X²] = 7.80, P=0.02) while Hispanic women were more likely to return (X² = 4.10, P=0.04). Caregivers with low depression risk were more likely to return for the child's scheduled appointment (X² = 13.37, P<0.001). Thus, there was a positive association between high depression risk and failed appointments (r=0.474, P<0.01). Children of women at risk for depression are more likely to fail to attend their dental appointment.