The Influence of Maternal Factors on Children’s Oral Health: Mothers' Age, Education Level, Tooth Brushing Habit and Socioeconomic Status

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the influence of maternal factors on children’s oral health.
METHODS: Children (aged between 5 and 14 years) and their mothers were included. Clinical examinations were performed in the Pedodontics Clinic. Children were examined in deciduous and permanent dentition. A questionnaire was prepared including socioeconomic status and oral hygiene habits of children and their mothers.
RESULTS: The main finding of this study is that the mothers’ socioeconomic status significantly affect their children’s caries frequency. Caries incidence of children whose mothers have high income were lower than those of children whose mothers have both moderate and low income. A relationship was found between mothers’ level of education and their children’s toothbrushing habit. As frequency of tooth brushing of mothers increased, the frequency of tooth brushing of children increased. It’s been found that, as the mothers’ age increased, caries frequency of children decreased.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A statistically significant result was found between caries indices of children and the economic level of the mothers. Positive correlation between mothers’ level of education and percentage of tooth brushing of children was found.