ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the factors related with dental caries in children.

The study included 300 children aged between 7-13 years of age. The children were classified into two groups; 7-9 years olds (n=148) and 10-13 years olds (n=152). Age, gender, tooth brushing habit, the frequency of sugar consumption, education level, socioeconomic status and tooth brushing habit of the parents, child’s and parent’s caries index scores and child’s plaque index scores were recorded on the patient information forms. All data were analyzed statistically by chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Fisher’s Exact tests.

A positive correlation was detected between the frequency of sugar consumption and plaque index scores with caries index scores in children (p=0.000, p=0.025). Daily tooth brushing frequency increases by age (p=0.007). A positive correlation was detected between mother’s educational status and child’s tooth brushing habit (p=0.006). A positive correlation was also detected between the socioeconomic status of the family and the tooth brushing habit of the child (p=0.000). A positive correlation was detected between parent’s and child’s tooth brushing habit (p=0.000) and a negative correlation was detected between child’s caries index scores and parent’s tooth brushing habit (p=0.010). A negative correlation was detected between child’s plaque index scores and tooth brushing habit (p=0.011, p=0.000).

Parental tooth brushing habit is an important factor on child’s oral hygiene improvement. Caries development decreases by age depending on increasing tooth brushing frequency.