22
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Volume2 Issue4
N
ews and
E
vents
Parenting
71%of childrenwhoseparents
demonstrated inconsistent
parenting (i.e.,whodidnot
alwaysapply the same rulesand
consequences toagivenaction
orbehaviour) had toothdecay
byage8, compared to48%of
thosewhoseparentsweremore
consistent.
Nutrition
71%of children
whoate
more thanone
sugary snack
adayhad
toothdecayby
age8, compared to37%of those
whohadoneor less.
Similarly,morekidswhoatea
sugary snackbeforegoing to
bedhad toothdecay
(63%vs. 53%).
Personality
73%of very shychildren (as
judgedby theparents) had
toothdecaybyage8,
compared to50%of those
whoexhibiteda low level of
shyness.
Some studies suggest that
shykidsmayadopt
morecomforting
behaviours that could
negatively impact
oral health, suchasprolonged
breastfeedingoruseof thebottle,
or resistance todental treatment.*
Household income
66%of children
whogrewup in low
incomehouseholds
had toothdecayby
age8, compared
to52%of theothers.
PlaceofResidence
63%of children raised in rural
areashad toothdecaybyage8,
compared to52%of those raised
inurbancentres.
Dentalhygiene
58%of children
brushing their teeth
less than twiceaday
had toothdecayby
age8, compared
to48%of those
whobrushed
2 timesormore.
5months
toage8
Thestudyauthorssuggestdifferentapproaches
thatcouldhelpmitigate risk factors, including:
✓
offeringhealthpromotionactivities toyoung
and lesseducatedmothers;
✓
ensuring thatpediatriciansare
knowledgeableenough toeducatemothers
aboutgoodoralhealth;
✓
promoting regular toothbrushingand
healthyeatingearly in life;and
✓
ensuring thatdentistsanddental team
memberspayparticularattention to
childrenwhoareshyanddiscusscaries
preventionwith theirparents.
To learnmoreabout the study, visit
*Forthecomplete listofreferences,see
