Socioeconomic Disparities, Maternal Sense of Coherence, and Their Impact on Children's Oral Health: A Cross-sectional...

Oral health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, particularly in the childhood, because it influences nutrition, speech development, and self-esteem. Socioeconomic status (SES) significantly affects children's oral health, with lower SES linked to higher rates of dental caries, poor oral hygiene, and reduced access to preventive care. Maternal sense of coherence (SOC), a psychological determinant of health behavior, plays a vital role in shaping the children's oral health outcomes. A strong SOC is associated with better coping mechanisms and increased adherence to preventive dental care practices. This study examined the impact of SES on maternal SOC and its influence on children's oral health behaviors and status.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pedodontics from March 2023 to July 2024. The study included 723 mother-adolescent dyads recruited from urban to semiurban schools. Maternal SOC was assessed using Antonovsky's SOC-13 scale, whereas oral health status was evaluated on the basis of caries experience [decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score], plaque index, bleeding on probing, and caries severity index. SES was determined using the modified Kuppuswamy Scale (2024). Statistical analyses, including Chi-squared test and multinomial logistic regression, were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

A significant association was found between SES and maternal SOC (p = 0.001), with higher SOC scores observed among mothers with higher SES backgrounds. Similarly, children's SOC was positively correlated with SES (p = 0.001). Oral health outcomes varied significantly by SES, with children of lower SES exhibiting higher rates of severe dental caries, poor oral hygiene (55.05% plaque index >1), and reduced access to preventive care. Only 5.13% of children with lower SES reported regular dental visits, compared to 48.98% in the upper SES group. Furthermore, higher maternal SOC was associated with better oral health behaviors in children, including controlled sugar intake and fluoride application.

This study highlights the strong interplay among SES, maternal SOC, and children's oral health outcomes. Lower SES is linked to weaker maternal SOC, which in turn, contributes to poor oral health behaviors and a higher dental disease burden in children. Interventions aimed at strengthening maternal SOC, improving health literacy, and enhancing access to preventive dental care could help mitigate these disparities.

Saha S, Mohanty S. Socioeconomic Disparities, Maternal Sense of Coherence, and Their Impact on Children's Oral Health: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(9):1059-1065.