Caries Experience and Its Relationship with Parent’s Education, Occupation and Socio Economic Status of the family among 3-6 Years Old Preschool Children of Sri Ganganagar City, India

Abstract

AIM- The aim of the present study was to assess the caries experience and its relationship with parent’s education, occupation and socio economic status of the family among 3-6 years old preschool children of Sri Ganganagar city, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS-A sample of 512 preschool going children were selected. The socioeconomic status was elicited using modified B.G.L. Prasad’s classification for the year 2010. Parent’s education, occupation and income were recorded. Dental caries experience was recorded using Dentition status and treatment needs (WHO Basic Oral Health Survey 1997). Association between Socioeconomic status and caries experience was obtained using chi square test. RESULTS-The prevalence of nursing caries was 33.01%.Nursing caries was significantly associated with lower parents education, occupation and socioeconomic status of the family (p<0.001). CONCLUSION- Instilling the positive attitudes of the parents especially mothers towards the prevention of nursing caries would reduce the prevalence at this tender age of life.