Social and economic factors related to poor child oral health

Objectives: Consistent with the universal social gradient that exists across areas of general health and wellbeing, the prevalence of poor oral health is higher among those who experience social and economic disadvantage. This study aims to further investigate these disadvantaged communities and explore the relationship between socio-demographic factors with parent-reported child oral health status. Methods: The 2006 Victorian Child Health and Wellbeing Survey (VCHWS) was designed to address gaps in the knowledge of health and wellbeing in Victorian children aged 0-12 years. In this study we have conducted secondary analysis of the 2006 VCHWS dataset (n=5,000 children, mean age 7.1 years) to explore the relationship between a range of socio demographic factors (including social support, disadvantage and hardship) with parent-reported child oral health status (reported as: poor, fair, good, very good or excellent). Ordered logistic regression analysis was conducted with associations adjusted for child age, gender and general health, and parent age. Results: The odds of children having better oral health were reduced for children in families with low social support (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR:0.69; 95%CI: 0.56, 0.84; P<0.001), no private health insurance (AOR:0.73; 0.64, 0.84; P<0.001); inadequate housing (AOR:0.66; 0.51, 0.86; P<0.01), parents in casual/non-permanent employment (AOR:0.76; 0.64, 0.90; P<0.01), both parents born overseas (OR:0.74; 0.55, 0.90, P<0.01 ) and with a health care card (OR:0.84; 0.72, 0.97; P<0.05). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of social, cultural and economic factors on child oral health. These factors need to be considered in the development and implementation of population level health promotion strategies and interventions aiming to improve oral health. Targeted interventions for at risk community groups may also be warranted.