The Relationship between Passive Smoking and Caries Experience in Children Aged 1-12 Years and Influencing Factors

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between passive smoking by parents and dental caries in children aged 1-12 years and the factors affecting this relationship. Materials and Methods: The examination data of 900 children aged 1-12 years who were admitted to Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry between December 2020 and May 2021 for various reasons and underwent routine examinations and met the study criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Sociodemographic characteristics, passive smoking status and dmft/DMFT scores of the children were recorded. The relationship between passive smoking status and dmft/DMFT scores and the factors affecting this relationship were analyzed. Results: The results of A statistically significant correlation was found between passive smoking status and dmft/DMFT scores of children (p=0.000). At the same time, a significant relationship was found between passive smoking and income level (p0.05). Conclusion: Passive smoking is thought to be a risk factor in caries formation. Therefore, it is important to reduce exposure to passive smoking in order to protect both oral and dental health and general health of children