231 - Parental Knowledge and Dietary Impact on Dental Health

Purpose: To evaluate parents’ general knowledge of diet and its impact on pediatric dental health.

Methods: The study population included parents of children presenting for a new patient dental exam, 4 years or younger, and classified as ASA 1 or 2. Parents were given a survey about their source of information, dietary knowledge, and child’s nutritional habits. After the exam, the dentist recorded the child’s DMFT. Comparisons were made to identify relationships between oral health education, dietary practices, and risk of dental caries.

Results: From the surveys collected, 83% of parents believe quantity contributes more to dental caries risk than frequency of sugar intake. However, of those who selected frequency as the highest risk factor, 75% of their children exhibited no carious lesions as opposed to 63% of respondents who selected quantity of sugar, and 50% of those who chose quality of food, a statistically significant difference in caries rates. No other questions produced a significant difference in the number of caries observed. Furthermore, when composite knowledge and habit scores were compiled and compared to the caries detected, there was no statistical difference.

Conclusions: Most parents believe they have a good understanding of the impact of diet on dental health. Data from this study indicates a correlation between parents understanding the impact of frequently consuming fermentable carbohydrates and DMFT scores, yet no other knowledge or habit questions produced a significant impact on the child's caries risk at the first dental exam. This underscores the multifactorial nature of dental caries.