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Problematic screen exposure and oral health in preschool children: a comparison study
Şeyma Mustuloğlu1, Özlem Tezol2, Sıddıka Songul Yalcın3
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mersin University, Mersin, Çiftlikköy, 15603, Turkey. dtseymaozturk@gmail.com.
Insights
Problematic screen exposure (PSE) in preschool children is linked to poorer oral health, including higher rates of decay and gum issues. Regular dental check-ups are recommended for children with high screen time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Problematic screen exposure (PSE) is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for various health issues in preschool children.
- The impact of PSE on oral/dental health and parafunctional oral habits in this age group requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between problematic screen exposure (PSE) and oral/dental health in preschool children.
- To assess the association between PSE and parafunctional oral habits in young children.
Main Methods:
- A study involving healthy children aged 3-6 years attending a pediatric dentistry clinic.
- Problematic screen exposure (PSE) was assessed using the 'Seven-in-Seven-Screen-Exposure Questionnaire'.
- Oral health was evaluated through intraoral examinations, recording decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), ICDAS II scores, plaque, and gingival indices.
Main Results:
- Children with PSE showed significantly higher median scores for gingival and plaque indices.
- The median number of decayed teeth was significantly higher in the PSE group.
- No significant differences were found in sociodemographic characteristics, brushing habits, or abnormal oral habits between groups.
Conclusions:
- Preschool children in Turkey with PSE exhibit a higher prevalence of poor oral health outcomes.
- Oral health examinations are crucial for preschool children with problematic screen exposure (PSE).
- Findings suggest clinical relevance for evaluating media use in pediatric dental practice.
Objectives:
Recent studies have highlighted the association between problematic screen exposure (PSE) in preschool children and various health issues. This study aims to determine the relationship between PSE and oral/dental health as well as parafunctional oral habits in this population.
Methods:
Healthy children aged 3 to 6 years who visited the pediatric dentistry outpatient clinic were included in the study. PSE was evaluated using the parent-reported 'Seven-in-Seven-Screen-Exposure Questionnaire'. An intraoral examination was conducted to record the number of decated, missing, and filled teeth, along with scores from the International Caries Detection and Assessment System II (ICDAS II), as well as dental plaque and gingival indices.
Results:
A total of 210 mother-child pairs were included in the study, comprising 70 pairs with PSE and 140 pairs without PSE. The sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of daily tooth brushing behaviors, use of children's toothpaste, and regular dental examinations were statistically evaluated between the PSE and non-PSE group (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of having abnormal oral habits (p > 0.05). In the PSE group, the median scores for gingival and plaque index were significantly higher (p = 0.011 and p = 0.006, respectively). The median number of decayed teeth was significantly higher in the PSE group (p = 0.039).
Conclusions:
Turkish preschool children with PSE were found to have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing poor oral health. Consequently, it is essential to conduct oral health examinations for Turkish preschool children exhibiting PSE. The study may have clinical implications for the evaluation of preschool children with problematic media use within dental practice.
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