A cross sectional study to assess relationship between parental locus of control and caries experience in preschool children of Belgaum City

Preschool children are prone for dental caries and since they rely on parents for oral hygiene, it becomes imperative that parental perspective towards susceptibility to caries be assessed.

The present study aimed to evaluate existence of any association between parental Locus of Control (LOC) with their children's Early Childhood Caries (ECC) experience.

Study comprised of 407 children and their parents. Data was collected using a self designed and validated questionnaire which included details of Socio demographic data, oral hygiene practice of the children and LOC (LOC) questionnaire. LOC consisted of thirteen questions adapted from Wallston's Multidimensional Health LOC. Responses for LOC were scored on 5 point likert scale. After obtaining consent, parents completed the questionnaire which was followed by dental examination of the child. Dmft was calculated form WHO Dentition Status. Multiple logistic regression and sensitivity analysis of the data was performed.

As LOC scores increased, an increase in caries prevalence was observed. Area under Receiver Operating Characteristic curve with LOC as a criterion was 0.55 (95%CI 0.48–0.61), sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 and 0.28 respectively. Around 20.39% of parents had internal LOC and their children were 1.8 times less likely to suffer from dental caries as compared to others. When multiple logistic regression analysis was performed by adjusting age, gender, SES and total LOC score, a statistically significant association was seen with LOC score and ECC.p= 0.003.

Internal LOC is associated with decreased caries prevalence. Childhood caries requires broader pediatric and public health perspective than solely dental standpoint to effectively solve it.