Dental Neglect Among Children in Eastern Turkey

Purpose: Dental neglect is defined as the failure of parents to take necessary measures to protect their child's oral health, prevent pain and infection, and provide essential dental treatment. This study aims to assess the level of dental neglect among children in Eastern Turkey and its relation to their oral health. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved the 215 children and their parents. Dental neglect was measured using the Dental Neglect Scale (DNS), which consisted of seven Likert-scale questions (ranging from 1 to 5). A questionnaire also gathered demographic data. The DNS score was calculated by summing the responses, and the children's oral health was assessed using the Oral Hygiene Index and the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Data were statistically analysed with significance set at p 0.05. Results: The average DMFT score was 7.24 ± 3.01, and the average DNS score was 16.24 ± 4.72. A statistically significant correlation was found between DMFT and the DNS score (correlation coefficient 0.162, p = 0.018). A statistically significant difference was noted between the mother's education level and the Dental Neglect Score (p = 0.006), but no statistically significant differences were observed concerning paternal education, family income, or frequency of dental visits. Conclusion: High DMFT scores and low maternal education levels are linked to higher dental neglect. Mothers play a crucial role in their children's oral health. Identifying mothers who do not provide adequate attention to their children as well as children in need of oral care is essential for implementing early, tailored interventions.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Standort: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Umfang: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Dental Neglect Among Children in Eastern Turkey ; volume:23 ; number:1 ; year:2025 ; pages:135-140 ; Oral health & preventive dentistry ; 23, Heft 1 (2025), 135-140

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Urheber: Celikel, Peris ; Bas Ozturk, Aybike ; Sengul, Fatih

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_1834
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2502261211306.148198874704
• Rechteinformation: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 15.08.2025, 07:36 MESZ