Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2025

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
08:12

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

Published on: March 29, 2018

10.1K

Family factors associated with dental caries among 5-year-old preschool children

Giovanna Torqueto Castilho1, Marília Narducci Pessoa1, Caroline Correa de Oliveira1

  • 1Department of Morphology and Children's Clinic, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araraquara, Brazil.

Frontiers in Dental Medicine
|February 7, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Family factors significantly impact children's dental caries (tooth decay) risk. Caregiver attitudes and practices, including assistance with brushing and prioritizing dental visits, are crucial for preventing cavities in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Family Medicine

Background:

  • Dental caries remains a prevalent childhood disease despite being largely preventable.
  • Understanding family influences is key to addressing pediatric oral health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate family factors associated with the prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old children.
  • To identify specific caregiver behaviors and perceptions linked to childhood tooth decay.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 578 preschool children in Brazil.
  • Data collected via caregiver questionnaires on sociodemographic factors, routines, and oral health practices.
  • Clinical dental examinations using dmft and SiC indexes (World Health Organization criteria).

Main Results:

  • 67.3% of children were caries-free; mean dmft index was 1.14.
  • Significant associations found between caries and income, caregiver toothbrushing assistance, caregiver oral health perception, and dental visit prioritization.
  • The Significant Caries index (SiC) was 3.46.

Conclusions:

  • Low overall prevalence of dental caries in this population.
  • Family factors, particularly caregiver attitudes and involvement in oral hygiene, significantly influence children's caries experience.
  • Targeting family-centered interventions can improve pediatric oral health outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
dental cariesfamilyoral healthoral health perceptiontoothbrushing

More Related Videos

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

17.0K
Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries08:20

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries

Published on: March 31, 2021

6.2K

Related Concept Videos

Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
294
Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
327
Oral Cavity01:11

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
389
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
4.2K
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral01:16

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral

The oral stage is the initial phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring from birth to approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, the infant's mouth serves as the primary source of pleasure, with actions such as sucking, chewing, biting, and drinking playing a crucial role in reducing tension. These activities are essential not only for nourishment but also for the infant's psychological and emotional satisfaction.
Weaning, typically occurring...
495
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
176