Risk factors, perception of caregivers and impact of early childhood caries on quality of life related to oral health of preschool children and their families

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors, feeling of guilt, perception of caregivers and to evaluate the impact of early childhood caries (ECC) on quality of life related to oral health of children and their families. Material and Methods: 40 preschoolers were included in this study. Data were collected through an interview with caregivers regarding sociodemographic data, risks factors and ECC. Data on perception of caregivers related to child’s oral health, as well of questionnaire to evaluate quality of life – BECOHIS were also collected thought interview. Results: Analysis of categorical variables investigated, such as the risk factors for ECC, was performed using Chi-square test. For numeric variables, such as the parents’ perceptions and the BECOHIS questionnaire score was performed with Mann Whitney test. Significance level was set at 5%. A difference was found between groups for the following investigated issues: “reason for seeking treatment”, and “type of feeding” (breastfeeding or milk bottle) (p< 0.05). Caregivers felt guilty in relation to the oral health of their children and also by perceiving changes in their oral health status such as the presence of pain. The feeling of guilt expressed by parents was observed when related to toothache (p=0.01). Association between presence of caries and perception of caregivers of the oral health condition was observed (p<0.05). ECC impacts quality of life related to oral health of children (p=0.003) and caregivers (p=0.003). Conclusion: Among the risk factors investigated, type of feeding is associated with ECC. ECC affects the quality of life related to oral health of children afflicted and their families.