Relationship Between Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale, Child's Dental Status and Parental Psychological Profiles.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a child's dental status and parental psychological profiles on parental perception of their child's oral health. MATERIALS: This study involved 164 parents of children under five years of age, who filled out the life quality assessment test regarding oral health (ECOHIS test), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaire. The child's oral status was also examined and recorded. RESULTS: Results of the ECOHIS appeared to correlate positively with the number of active caries (R = 0.457; P <0.001). In addition, the ECOHIS showed a significant correlation with the DASS test results (R = 0.356; P <0.001 for depression, R = 0.247; P <0.001 for anxiety and R = 0.235; P <0.001 for the stress result). CONCLUSION: The dental health of a child affects his/her quality of life and the parental quality of life including their psychological status.