# Impact of Parental Knowledge on Prevention Risk of Caries in Seville Children Between 6 and 14 Years Old, Applying the CAMBRA Protocol

## TL;DR

This study examines how parental knowledge about preventing tooth decay affects children's risk of caries in Seville using the CAMBRA protocol.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates a novel application of the CAMBRA protocol in assessing the impact of parental knowledge on pediatric caries risk in a specific geographic region.

## Key findings

- 61.7% of participants lived in urban areas, with a notable link between socioeconomic status and caries risk.
- There was a statistically significant association between dietary habits, oral hygiene, and caries risk in children.
- Parental knowledge was strongly associated with reduced caries risk in children.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: To explore the association between parental knowledge on dental caries prevention and the risk of caries in pediatric patients aged 6 to 14 years who reside in the province of Seville, using the CAMBRA preventive protocol as an assessment tool. Methods: After the approval granted by the Ethics Committee, a descriptive and analytical observational study was conducted. Caries risk was established using the CAMBRA Questionnaire, pH measurement, and salivary flow rate. To assess the socioeconomic background of the patients and their hygiene and dietary habits, parents completed two surveys: the first about the quality of the patient’s diet, and the second directly related to the CAMBRA questionnaire used and validated by the University of Seville. Results: The final study sample consisted of 300 pediatric patients, aged 6 to 14 years, of whom 54% were boys and 46% were girls. The caries risk distribution was as follows: 33% low, 7% moderate, 48.6% high, and 11.3%. A total of 61.7% of the participants live in urban areas, while 38.3% are from peri-urban regions. There is a statistically significant association between socioeconomic status and family circumstances in children with a risk of caries. Furthermore, an association was established between caries risk, dietary habits, and oral hygiene. Conclusions: Parental knowledge about dental caries prevention and caries risk in children was found to have a strong association with reduced caries risk in children.