Is caregivers' dental caries status associated with caries in preschool children? A case-control study

Caries is a multifactorial disease that affects both children and adults globally. The aim of this study was to compare dental caries status between caregivers of children with and without caries.

Caregivers who delivered primary care to preschool children were enrolled in this case-control study. Primary caregivers of children with early childhood caries (ECC) were included in the case group, and the control group comprised caregivers of children without ECC. Caries status and oral hygiene status were assessed by calibrated paediatric dentists. The odds ratio (OR) was estimated by binary logistic regression.

Dental examinations were conducted among 268 primary caregivers (response rate 96.4%). Caregivers in the ECC group (n = 131) had a significantly higher caries prevalence (81.7%vs 61.3%, p < 0.001), higher DMFT scores (3.30 ± 3.85 vs 2.02 ± 2.51, p < 0.001), and lower DI-S scores (1.12 ± 0.68 vs 0.83 ± 0.54, p < 0.001) than the control group. Caregivers in the ECC group were more likely to be affected by caries than the control group (OR=2.81, 95%CI 1.61, 4.93, p < 0.001). Likewise, compared with children whose caregivers were caries-free, children with caries-affected caregivers were more likely to have ECC (OR=2.97, 95% CI 1.67, 5.28, p < 0.001).

Potential associations were observed between caregivers' and children's caries status. Family-based oral health promotion is recommended to prevent dental caries among children and their caregivers.

The association between children's and their primary caregivers' dental caries status suggests that caries preventive measures should integrate oral health education for both the child and caregivers, rather than focusing solely on the child. Oral health promotion activities should target the family unit.