Maternal Education Level as a Risk Factor for Early Childhood Caries

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dental caries in Brazilian preschool children aged 2 to 5 years. Material and Methods: The following independent variables were evaluated: dental caries, dental trauma, and malocclusions. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Poisson regression (p<0.05). Results: The prevalence of dental caries in preschoolers was 55.1%. Child age, family income, maternal education, and tooth color alteration from trauma were significantly associated with dental caries (p<0.05). The final adjusted multivariate model showed a significant association between maternal education and dental caries; children of mothers with low education were 1.89 times more likely to have caries (PR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.40-2.55) (p<0.01). Children with tooth color change from trauma were more likely to have dental caries (PR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.22-2.34 (p=0.001). Conclusion: Child age, family income, maternal education, tooth discoloration and discoloration color are risk factors for the development of caries disease in children. Also, children of mothers with low educational levels have a higher chance of developing dental caries.