Evaluation Of Oral Health Status In Children With Parental Usage Of Tobacco Products: An Observational Study

Tobacco use is very common practice in Indian household causing a whole series of oral health problems ranging from potentially cancerous changes to life threatening (oral cancer) and serious (periodontal disease) to social (bad breath) issues/problems. Parents act as role model for their children as children spend more time with them so they try to imitate them. Tobacco use in adult is a menace which we are continuously battling, when it comes to children our task is still worsened. Owing to the limited studies available, the study aims at exploring the potential impact of parental tobacco usage on oral and physical health of their children.

Evaluation of effects of parental use of tobacco on oral health of their children. This study will enable us to judge the burden of tobacco use among children which is rarely reported.

Total of 750 students have been examined from 2 different schools of rural area in Palghar district of Maharashtra [351 male and 399 female]. After taking consent from the concerned authority for oral health examination, children were examined for BMI and oral findings, they were interviewed for nature of tobacco habits in their parents and the children underwent examination to identify any tobacco habits and related oral lesions. The data obtained was sent for statistical analysis.

Out of 750 children, 33 children have tobacco habit which is 4.4%. Our study found that 234 out of 750 parents have tobacco habit which is 31.2%. Children who have tobacco habit with positive parental usage are 32 out of 234 parents using tobacco which is 13.67%. The statistical analysis revealed a significant association between dental caries in children and exposure to tobacco, with a p-value of < 0.038 (statistically significant association).

Statistically significant correlation (p< 0.001) was also observed between positive tobacco usage history in children and the incidence of teeth indicated for extraction. No statistically significant correlation (p >0.05) was observed between tobacco use with the prevalence of missing teeth and gingival health among children with a history of tobacco use as compared to children with no tobacco usage. The unpaired t-test analysis yielded no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in mean BMI values between the two groups, i.e., children without tobacco habits and children with tobacco habits.

This study highlights the growing concern over tobacco usage among children, as this dangerous habit is becoming increasingly prevalent, leading to addiction at a young age. It underscores the urgent need for tobacco cessation interventions for adults, recognizing the profound influence their habits have on their children.