Objectives: To assess the relationship between parents' dental attitudes and the caries increment in their children from the age of 3 to 5 years.
Methods: Data based on parental questionnaires and dental examinations were collected from children participating in a follow-up study from age 3 years (n = 354) in 2002 to 5 years (n = 304) in 2004. The children were categorized as western-native (WN) and immigrants (IM). The items used were significantly related to caries experience in a multicentre study [Pine et al. (2004)Community Dent Health, vol. 21, pp. 121-30]. The responses to attitudinal items were weighted as positive if they would promote good dental health, and negative if not. Composite attitudinal variables relating to hygiene, diet and indulgence were calculated as a summation of the weighted responses to selected items. Regression analyses (bivariate and multiple) were performed to assess associations during the period between the attitudinal predictors/other control variables and caries increment (Deltad(3-5)mfs).
Results: Bivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that 'Attitude to Diet' and 'Parental Indulgence' were clearly related to caries increment. The more exposed children were to negative parental attitudes, the higher the OR. 'Attitude to Diet' also persisted in a multiple logistic regression model, showing a higher OR value than caries experience. 'Immigrant Status' was the most potent predictor of caries increment. Parents were found to be more indulgent among IM than among WN groups.
Conclusion: Parental dental attitudes are clearly shown to be associated with caries increment in early childhood. The relationship is of such strength that it deserves to be taken into account in future preventive dental strategies.