Dental Caries and Oral Health Practices in Children of High-Income Families from Central Areas in Non-Fluoridated Istanbul, Türkiye

Eser Rengin Nalbantoglu; Şule Kavaloğlu Çıldır; Nüket Sandallı

Article Details

Dental Caries and Oral Health Practices in Children of High-Income Families from Central Areas in Non-Fluoridated Istanbul, Türkiye

Authors:

Eser Rengin Nalbantoglu | Şule Kavaloğlu Çıldır | Nüket Sandallı

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Paedodontics

Journal:

European Annals of Dental Sciences Vol.52 Issue 2, pp.63-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

8/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355092

pISSN:

2757-6744

Keywords:

Abstract:

 OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and assess oral health practices among children from affluent families in central Istanbul without community water fluoridation. The associations between parental education and fluoride supplementation with caries occurrence were also assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 children aged 611 years enrolled in a private school representative of high socioeconomic status in Istanbul. Oral examinations followed WHO criteria and were performed by two calibrated examiners Kappa0.7. Questionnaires regarding fluoride exposure, toothbrushing frequency, dental visits, and parental education were completed by 250 parents 71.4 response rate. Data analysis included chi-square and independent samples t-tests p0.05. RESULTS: Dental caries prevalence was 75.1; only 24.9 of children were caries-free. Mean dft and dfs scores were 2.37  2.47 and 3.97  4.93; DMFT and DMFS scores were 1.54  1.79 and 2.03  2.71, respectively. The mean total caries experience was 3.91 95 CI: 3.584.24. Fluoride supplementation was reported by 24.4 of parents until age 3, 4.4 until age 6, and 57.6 never supplemented; no significant link was found between supplementation and caries p0.05. Regular toothbrushing 2 timesday, routine dental visits, and higher maternal education significantly correlated with lower caries prevalence p0.05. Parental supervision and age at brushing initiation were not significantly associated with caries occurrence p0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries remain highly prevalent in central Istanbul despite high socioeconomic status. Preventive strategies emphasizing maternal education and consistent oral hygiene behaviors may yield greater improvements than fluoride supplementation alone.

 OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and assess oral health practices among children from affluent families in central Istanbul without community water fluoridation. The associations between parental education and fluoride supplementation with caries occurrence were also assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 children aged 611 years enrolled in a private school representative of high socioeconomic status in Istanbul. Oral examinations followed WHO criteria and were performed by two calibrated examiners Kappa0.7. Questionnaires regarding fluoride exposure, toothbrushing frequency, dental visits, and parental education were completed by 250 parents 71.4 response rate. Data analysis included chi-square and independent samples t-tests p0.05. RESULTS: Dental caries prevalence was 75.1; only 24.9 of children were caries-free. Mean dft and dfs scores were 2.37  2.47 and 3.97  4.93; DMFT and DMFS scores were 1.54  1.79 and 2.03  2.71, respectively. The mean total caries experience was 3.91 95 CI: 3.584.24. Fluoride supplementation was reported by 24.4 of parents until age 3, 4.4 until age 6, and 57.6 never supplemented; no significant link was found between supplementation and caries p0.05. Regular toothbrushing 2 timesday, routine dental visits, and higher maternal education significantly correlated with lower caries prevalence p0.05. Parental supervision and age at brushing initiation were not significantly associated with caries occurrence p0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries remain highly prevalent in central Istanbul despite high socioeconomic status. Preventive strategies emphasizing maternal education and consistent oral hygiene behaviors may yield greater improvements than fluoride supplementation alone.

 OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and assess oral health practices among children from affluent families in central Istanbul without community water fluoridation. The associations between parental education and fluoride supplementation with caries occurrence were also assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 children aged 611 years enrolled in a private school representative of high socioeconomic status in Istanbul. Oral examinations followed WHO criteria and were performed by two calibrated examiners Kappa0.7. Questionnaires regarding fluoride exposure, toothbrushing frequency, dental visits, and parental education were completed by 250 parents 71.4 response rate. Data analysis included chi-square and independent samples t-tests p0.05. RESULTS: Dental caries prevalence was 75.1; only 24.9 of children were caries-free. Mean dft and dfs scores were 2.37  2.47 and 3.97  4.93; DMFT and DMFS scores were 1.54  1.79 and 2.03  2.71, respectively. The mean total caries experience was 3.91 95 CI: 3.584.24. Fluoride supplementation was reported by 24.4 of parents until age 3, 4.4 until age 6, and 57.6 never supplemented; no significant link was found between supplementation and caries p0.05. Regular toothbrushing 2 timesday, routine dental visits, and higher maternal education significantly correlated with lower caries prevalence p0.05. Parental supervision and age at brushing initiation were not significantly associated with caries occurrence p0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries remain highly prevalent in central Istanbul despite high socioeconomic status. Preventive strategies emphasizing maternal education and consistent oral hygiene behaviors may yield greater improvements than fluoride supplementation alone.

 OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and assess oral health practices among children from affluent families in central Istanbul without community water fluoridation. The associations between parental education and fluoride supplementation with caries occurrence were also assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 children aged 611 years enrolled in a private school representative of high socioeconomic status in Istanbul. Oral examinations followed WHO criteria and were performed by two calibrated examiners Kappa0.7. Questionnaires regarding fluoride exposure, toothbrushing frequency, dental visits, and parental education were completed by 250 parents 71.4 response rate. Data analysis included chi-square and independent samples t-tests p0.05. RESULTS: Dental caries prevalence was 75.1; only 24.9 of children were caries-free. Mean dft and dfs scores were 2.37  2.47 and 3.97  4.93; DMFT and DMFS scores were 1.54  1.79 and 2.03  2.71, respectively. The mean total caries experience was 3.91 95 CI: 3.584.24. Fluoride supplementation was reported by 24.4 of parents until age 3, 4.4 until age 6, and 57.6 never supplemented; no significant link was found between supplementation and caries p0.05. Regular toothbrushing 2 timesday, routine dental visits, and higher maternal education significantly correlated with lower caries prevalence p0.05. Parental supervision and age at brushing initiation were not significantly associated with caries occurrence p0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries remain highly prevalent in central Istanbul despite high socioeconomic status. Preventive strategies emphasizing maternal education and consistent oral hygiene behaviors may yield greater improvements than fluoride supplementation alone.

Article Details

Dental Caries and Oral Health Practices in Children of High-Income Families from Central Areas in Non-Fluoridated Istanbul, Türkiye

Authors: Eser Rengin Nalbantoglu | Şule Kavaloğlu Çıldır | Nüket Sandallı

Publisher: Ankara University

Main Topics: Paedodontics

Journal: European Annals of Dental Sciences Vol.52 Issue 2, pp.63-70

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 8/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355092

pISSN: 2757-6744

dental caries

fluoride

oral hygiene

maternal education

socioeconomic status

children

Issues

Authors:

Eser Rengin Nalbantoglu | Şule Kavaloğlu Çıldır | Nüket Sandallı

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Paedodontics

Journal:

European Annals of Dental Sciences Vol.52 Issue 2, pp.63-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

8/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355092

pISSN:

2757-6744