Factors Associated With Parental Oral Health Literacy in a Clinical Sample of Turkish Preschool Children.

Background

Parental oral health literacy (OHL) is a key determinant of early childhood oral health, yet its relationship with both subjective perceptions and clinical outcomes has not yet been fully elucidated.

Aim

To assess the factors associated with parental OHL of Turkish preschool children, and to explore its relationships with socio-demographic variables, children's oral health behaviors, parental self-ratings of children's oral health, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), clinical outcomes, and parental psychological factors.

Design

This cross-sectional study included 204 healthy children aged 3-5.99 years and their parents. OHL, OHRQoL, and psychosocial variables were assessed; clinical status was evaluated via dmft and gingival index.

Results

Higher OHL was significantly associated with university education (p = 0.008), stronger family sense of coherence (p = 0.002), and confidence in completing hospital forms (p = 0.048). Larger household size (p = 0.009) and higher gingival index scores (p = 0.042) were negatively associated with OHL. These variables collectively explained 22.9% of the variance in OHL (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Parental OHL is associated with educational, psychosocial, and clinical factors. These findings highlight the importance of promoting parental literacy levels through comprehensive oral health interventions.