Relationship between Fathers' Oral Health Literacy and Children's Oral Health

Aims: Fatherschr('۳۹') low health literacy is one factor contributing to childrenchr('۳۹')s poorer oral health. This work aims to evaluate the relationship between the fatherchr('۳۹')s oral health literacy and the childrenchr('۳۹')s oral health in a sample of children with epilepsy. Materials & Methods: The present research is a descriptive-analytical study carried out during ۲۰۱۷ in Ahvaz, Iran. One hundred pairs of ۳-۶ aged children with epilepsy and their fathers referred to a specialized neurologic clinic were included in the study. Childrenchr('۳۹')s oral conditions were evaluated by a dentist based on dmft and simplified oral hygiene (OHI-S) indices.  A valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire on oral health literacy was filled out by childrenchr('۳۹')s fathers. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation using SPSS ۱۵. Findings: The mean±SD of OHI-S and dmft index were ۲.۷۵±۰.۹۵ and ۳.۵۱±۱.۹۷, respectively. Besides, the mean±SD number of decayed, extracted, and filled teeth of children were obtained to be ۲.۸۶±۱.۶۵, ۰.۳۱±۰.۴۸, and ۰.۱۹±۰.۴۱, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the fatherchr('۳۹')s oral health literacy and the oral health condition of children; dmft value and OHI-S index, (p<۰.۰۰۵). Pearson correlations showed a weak relationship between the comprehension dimension of OHL and dmft and a moderate relationship between the performance dimension of OHL and dmft (p<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: The study showed a significant relationship of the fatherchr('۳۹')s oral health literacy with dmft value and OHI-S score. Therefore, the results highlighted the importance of a family-centered approach to oral health promotion of children with epilepsy and their careers.

Keywords:

Health Literacy , Oral Health , Epilepsy , Children , Dental Care for Children