Evaluating the impact of maternal dental experience and parenting attitudes on children's dental experience and oral health related quality of life

Objective: The assessment of habits and factors influencing tooth decay in children aged 2-5, along with the evaluation of maternal parenting attitudes, and the identification of the decay relationship between the mother and the child based on these results. The aim of the study is to determine the impact of early childhood caries on quality of life. Method: A total of 246 children aged 3-5 years old and their mothers took part in this study. Caries indexes were analyzed. Data containing risk factors were recorded using a questionnaire form prepared in line with the literature and filled out by the parents. Parenting Attitude Scale (PAS) was used to determine parental attitudes. To determine the impact of early childhood caries (ECC) on quality of life, the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was utilized. The obtained data were statistically analyzed. Results: The caries index values of the mothers and the caries index values of the children were found to be related. Number of siblings, mother's education level, and dietary habits were found to be associated with ECC. It was found that the caries index of children with overprotective and permissive parenting style was higher than children with other parenting styles. It was found that ECOHIS scores increased as caries indexes increased. Conclusion: It has been observed that the caries experience in children is quite high. It has been determined that the caries experience and parenting style of the mothers are a determining factor in the oral health of the children, and that ECC negatively affects the quality of life of children and families. In order to prevent ECC, it is thought that it is very important to inform families about the importance of oral health, and to provide mothers and children with appropriate oral hygiene and nutritional habits.