Socioeconomic Disparities, Maternal Sense of Coherence, and Their Impact on Children\'s Oral Health: A Cross-sectional Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Oral health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, particularly in the childhood, because it influences nutrition, speech development, and self-esteem. Socioeconomic status (SES) significantly affects children's oral health, with lower SES linked to higher rates of dental caries, poor oral hygiene, and reduced access to preventive care. Maternal sense of coherence (SOC), a psychological determinant of health behavior, plays a vital role in shaping the children's oral health outcomes. A strong SOC is associated with better coping mechanisms and increased adherence to preventive dental care practices. This study examined the impact of SES on maternal SOC and its influence on children's oral health behaviors and status. Materials and methods: < 0.05. Results: = 0.001). Oral health outcomes varied significantly by SES, with children of lower SES exhibiting higher rates of severe dental caries, poor oral hygiene (55.05% plaque index >1), and reduced access to preventive care. Only 5.13% of children with lower SES reported regular dental visits, compared to 48.98% in the upper SES group. Furthermore, higher maternal SOC was associated with better oral health behaviors in children, including controlled sugar intake and fluoride application. Conclusion: This study highlights the strong interplay among SES, maternal SOC, and children's oral health outcomes. Lower SES is linked to weaker maternal SOC, which in turn, contributes to poor oral health behaviors and a higher dental disease burden in children. Interventions aimed at strengthening maternal SOC, improving health literacy, and enhancing access to preventive dental care could help mitigate these disparities. How to cite this article: Saha S, Mohanty S. Socioeconomic Disparities, Maternal Sense of Coherence, and Their Impact on Children's Oral Health: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(9):1059-1065.
Authors: Sonali Saha, Sushant Mohanty
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414376443