Intrafamilial Patterns of Oral Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of Dental Status Associations Among Children, Parents, and Siblings

TL;DR

This study found that family environment strongly influences oral health, with similarities in dental status and treatment patterns among children, parents, and siblings.

Contribution

The study reveals intrafamilial dental status similarities, particularly in severe caries and treatment completion, highlighting the role of family environment in oral health.

Findings

Children and parents showed similar dental caries in severe and caries-free groups.

Children had lower treatment completion than parents in the poorest care group.

Sibling dental status was similar only in mild caries, with no differences in treatment completion.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Untreated dental caries, the single most common health condition globally, is strongly associated with behavioural factors. This study examined dental status and oral health habits in child–parent and sibling pairs. Methods: We retrospectively analysed records from a dental practice in northeastern Poland, including 90 child–parent pairs and 27 sibling pairs. Dental status was assessed using the Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and treatment completion was measured with the Dental Treatment Index (DTI). Oral health behaviours were also evaluated. Results: Significant differences between children and parents were observed only in the mild-to-moderate caries groups (DMFT I: 27 children vs. 12 parents; DMFT II: 15 children vs. 32 parents). No differences were found in the severe caries or caries-free groups. Children had lower treatment completion than parents in the poorest care group (DTI 1: 20 children vs. 7 parents), but similar outcomes in higher DTI categories. Among siblings, differences appeared only in the DMFT I group, with no differences in treatment completion or behaviours. Conclusions: Strong similarities in extreme dental characteristics between children and parents, comparable DTI values in most groups, and consistent sibling outcomes suggest that family environment strongly influences oral health.

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