Mothers’ Oral Health Status and its Relationship to Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) in an Indigenous Population in Canada
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: To determine the relationship between Indigenous mothers’ oral health status and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in their children and to examine whether mothers’ oral health-related self-efficacy (OHSE) mediates this association. Methods: The study included 544 Indigenous pregnant women in Canada, who underwent a clinical examination and completed a survey. Their children underwent a clinical examination when they were 2 years old. Results: After adjusting for mother’s age, smoking status, area of residence (on First Nations reserve or off reserve) and OHSE using logistic regression, Gingival Index (Odds Ratio 3.2, 95% Confidence Interval 1.5–6.6) and Debris Index (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.7) were significantly associated with S-ECC. In the mediation analysis, maternal oral health status measures were negatively associated with OHSE and had a direct effect on S-ECC. Conclusions: Clinical normative measures of Indigenous mothers’ oral health status were significant determinants of S-ECC in their toddlers.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Subhash Raj Krishnaraaj
Language: English
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3026962778