# The effect of socio-economic background on parental knowledge regarding oral health and its association with proactive behaviours

## TL;DR

This study shows that parents from higher socio-economic backgrounds have better oral health knowledge and take more proactive dental care actions than those from lower backgrounds.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific socio-economic factors linked to oral health knowledge gaps and proactive behaviors in parents.

## Key findings

- Parents from medium socio-economic backgrounds showed significantly better oral health knowledge and proactive behaviors.
- Low-income parents had poor understanding of dental disease causes and were more likely to consume sugary snacks.
- Mother’s occupation and area of residency were significant predictors of lower oral health knowledge and less frequent brushing.

## Abstract

To evaluate the effect of socio-economic background on oral health knowledge and cultural beliefs of parents and associate knowledge to proactive behaviours.

This is a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample consisting of parents seeking dental care for their children at two different dental centres. Data were collected via a structured, interview-based questionnaire, covering demographic characteristics and parental oral health knowledge and behaviours. Analysis was performed based on parental socioeconomic background determined by monthly family income (< 1400€ low, 1400–2500€ medium). Differences within and between groups were assessed using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests and associations with demographic or behavioural characteristics using multivariate regression analysis (statistical significance p < 0.05).

Of the participants, 111 were from low and 105 from medium socio-economic backgrounds, with the latter demonstrating significantly better oral health knowledge and more proactive behaviours, such as regular preventive dental visits and lower consumption of sugary snacks (p < 0.05). Parents from low socio-economic backgrounds showed poor knowledge regarding aetiopathogenesis of common dental diseases, with significant differences for the effect of microbes in dental plaque accumulation formation (p = 0.03) and for brushing (p = 0.02) and sugary snack consumption (p = 0.04) in caries development. Multivariate regression analysis showed that area of residency and mother’s occupation were significantly associated with decreased knowledge, that was associated with infrequent brushing and frequent sugary snack consumption.

Significant associations highlighted the need for targeted educational interventions and public health policies to reduce oral health disparities and improve awareness.