The role of parental anxiety, depression, and psychological stress level on the development of early-childhood caries in children

Abstract

Background: It is important to understand how the psychological status of parents affects oral health in children.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of depression, anxiety, and stress of parents whose children have early-childhood caries.

Design: The study included 235 children and their parents who visited the Dental clinic at the School of Medicine of the University of Split between October 2016 and July 2017. The dental status of each child was recorded, while parents filled out the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale questionnaire and the questionnaire related to the demographic characteristics, questions related to child's habits of the tooth brushing, eating sweets.

Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that the incidence of active caries in the children was statistically significantly related not only to the level of parent depression (β = -0.289; P = 0.040) but also the level of anxiety (β = 0.186; P = 0.038) and stress (β = -0.120; P = 0.036). The dmft index in the examined children was negatively significant associated with the parental level of depression (β = -0.305; P = 0.032).

Conclusion: Considering the results of our research it is essential to emphasize the need for better health education of parents.

Keywords: DASS questionnaire; anxiety; depression; early childhood caries; stress.