Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 12

Do Social Determinants Influence Parents Health Behaviour and Oral Health Status in Children: A Descriptive Study

1Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte Deemed to be University, Deralakatte, Mangalore

2Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Kuntikana, Mangalore, Karnataka

3Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte Deemed to be University, Deralakatte, Mangalore

4Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontics and Implantalogy, Bhabha College of Dental Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Deesha Kumari, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte Deemed to be University, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, e-mail: drdeesha.k@gmail.com, Phone No: +91 9611758152

Online published on 4 April, 2020.

Abstract

Addressing the rising oral disease burden globally necessitates the need for oral health promotion with consideration of factors at grass root level.

The present study was undertaken to assess the influence of social determinants on the oral health of children aged 12 and 15 years in Bangalore.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 School children aged 12 and 15 years.

Children were administered the questionnaire on social determinants of health and were instructed to get it filled by their parents. Oral health examination was conducted using DMFT index.

Descriptive and Inferential statistics like Bivariate analysis determined the association of social determinants and health Outcomes.

The bivariate analysis revealed that Family Strength, Mother's education and Father's occupation was significantly associated with the Oral Disease prevalenceamong children as perceived by parents. On clinical examination the mean DMFT score of children was 1.17+1.689 and was significantly associated with the monthly family income (p=0.031).

Social determinants influence the various aspects of oral health care in children. This necessitates the need for inter-sectoral measures to be implemented taking into account the social determinants at upstream and downstream levels initiating effective oral health promotion.

Keywords

“Oral health”, “Social determinants of Health”, “Bangalore”, “School Children”