Prevalence of and Factors Influencing Oral Health Behaviours in 2-Year-Old Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Data from the KUNO-Kids Health Study.

Abstract

Introduction: This questionnaire-based investigation aimed to assess oral health behaviour (OHB) in 2-year-old children taking part in a birth cohort study and to identify relationships between general health, socioeconomic as well as psychosocial factors and OHB.

Methods: Factors examined were single-parent status, migration background, child's sex, parity, maternal age, education and social support, paternal employment, parental mental and physical health, and child health, data for which were collected at birth, 4 weeks, or 1 year. Participants who answered all OHB questions at 2 years (n = 730) were included. Nutritional score (NS), toothbrushing score (TS), and dental check-up score (CS) were used to calculate overall OHB score.

Results: Overall OHB in this cohort was good. 62% ate fruit or vegetables daily, 75% brushed 2-3 times daily, and 61% had already had a dental check-up. Children of single mothers had significantly lower OHB scores. NS was significantly higher for children with migration background, children of mothers with better physical health or higher educational level, but lower for children of mothers reporting poor social support. TS was significantly lower in children of single mothers and children of fathers reporting poorer mental health. CS was significantly higher in children of multiparous mothers. This study highlights the relevance of social support and parental health, in contributing to OHB patterns.

Conclusion: Families with special healthcare needs or less robust social support may have difficulty maintaining good OHB.