The Impact of Parenting Styles on the Enforcement of Oral Health Behaviors in Children

Objectives:The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between parenting styles and children's oral health during their first dental visit. Specifically, it aimed to assess how different parenting styles—democratic, authoritarian, and permissive—relate to children’s oral health behaviors, dental fear, and the occurrence of dental caries. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Marmara University, between December 2023 and March 2024. The sample included 239 children aged 5-13 years and their parents. Parental data, including demographics, oral health behaviors, and parenting styles, were collected using the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). Children’s oral health status was determined using DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth), dmft, and ADMFT indices. Statistical analyses were performed using R software, with significance set at p<0.05. Results:Authoritarian and permissive parenting styles were significantly associated with higher levels of dental fear (p=0.005). However, no significant differences were observed between parenting styles in terms of dental caries prevalence, as indicated by the dmft (p=0.511), DMFT (p=0.516), and ADMFT (p=0.701) scores. ADMFT scores were significantly higher in children aged 9 years or younger, children whose fathers filled out the forms, and children who brushed their teeth themselves (p<0.05). Conclusions: Parenting styles did not significantly affect dental caries outcomes, but authoritarian parenting was linked to increased dental fear. Younger children and those brushing their own teeth had poorer dental health outcomes, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in oral hygiene practices.