Assessment of the relationship between oral health and parental education levels among children aged 8-10years

This research aims to assess the relationship between children's oral health and parents' education levels. The research was completed with the participation of 235 children between the ages of 8-10 and their parents who attended the Specialized Dental Center and Sumer Dental Center in Nasiriyah, Iraq between 05/01/2022 and 30/9/2022. Sociodemographic data of the parents and child was recorded. Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ) 8-10 age scale was used to assess the child's oral health. According to the oral health evaluations of the children; It was seen that 5.5% had very good oral health, 27.7% was good, 33.2% was fair and 33.6% was poor, and all children had fair oral health in general (60.32±20.84). Oral symptoms, functional limitations and emotional well-being were found to be fair (11-15), social well-being was poor (16-20) and these evaluations did not change according to age (p>0.05). When the sociodemographic characteristics of children and parents related to oral health are examined; general oral health was found to be positively related to the economic status and education level of the family (p< 0.001; p< 0.001, respectively)), (r = .746;-.834). Our study shows the importance of educating parents in order to improve children's oral health.