Associação do nível de escolaridade de pais e responsáveis com os hábitos alimentares e de higiene bucal de crianças

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the association between eating and oral hygiene habits of 2 to 14-year-old children and the parent’s/guardian’s level of education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 214 parents/guardians of children, selected from five public schools in Belo Horizonte, in the southeastern region of Brazil. A questionnaire completed by the parents/guardians collected information about their educational level and about their children’s eating and oral hygiene habits. The sample was stratified into two groups: parents/guardians of children from 2 to 6 years old (n=119, 55.6%) and from 7 to 14 years old (n=95, 44.44%). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact Test (p < 0.05). Results: Higher parental education was associated with children’s milk consumption in the 7 to 14-year-old group (OR=6.37; 95% CI: 2.27-17.88; p < 0,001) and was inversely related to the consumption of candies from 2 to 6-year-old children (OR=0.26; 95% CI: 0.11-0.58; p < 0.001) and chewing gum in both groups (2 to 6 year olds, p < 0.001 and 7 to 14 year olds, p = 0.014). The highest parental education was associated with the use of children’s toothpaste by 2 to 6-year-old children (OR=3.32; 95% CI: 1.52-7.24; p = 0.002) and higher tooth brushing frequency (OR=4.26; 95% CI: 1.50-12.08; p = 0.004) and dental floss usage in the group of 7 to 14-year-old children. Conclusions: The higher educational level of the parents/guardians was related to healthier food choices and better oral hygiene habits.