Parental Factors and Caries Status among Indigenous Schoolchildren

Objectives: To assess the parental factors related to children's oral health and to determine the caries status among Orang Asli primary schoolchildren. Methods: A cross sectional pilot study was done among 52 Orang Asli primary schoolchildren aged 6 – 12 years old and their parents. A visual oral examination using DMFT index was conducted on all primary schoolchildren who attended the oral health screening at a community setting. An interview guided questionnaire was employed for the parents. Data collection was done at home by trained interviewer. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS Version 12.0. Results: Mean age of schoolchildren was 9.9 years old with 61.5% male. Mean DMFT was 0.8. Majority (71%) was caries free and needed no treatment. Mean age for fathers and mothers was 42.8 and 39.4 respectively. Two thirds (75%) of parents at least have primary education level. Most (90%) considered their children's oral health as important but never send them to visit dentist. Less than 50% of parents taught their children toothbrushing while 46% of schoolchildren practice daily tooth brushing. Majority (80%) practiced breast and bottle infant feeding. Only 15% practice bottle feeding alone. About 38% of their children bottle fed before sleep. Of these, only one third added sugar in the bottle. Most (73%)of them also did not snack in between meals. Conclusion: Parental oral health related factors appear to have a positive impact on the caries status of the Indigenous children. However, oral health promotive intervention needs to be reinforced to translate parents' perceived oral health importance into good oral health practice.