The role of parenting attitudes and feeding practices in early childhood caries: A cross-sectional analysis

Objectives Early Childhood Caries (ECC) constitutes a prevalent dental affliction among the pediatric population in India, bearing substantial ramifications for both their oral health and general welfare. Parenting attitudes and feeding styles have been identified as influential factors in the development of ECC, yet their specific impacts remain obscure. Material and Methods A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken involving a sample of 100 children within the age range of 3 to 6 years, along with their parents. Parental attitudes were assessed using the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), while parental feeding practices were evaluated using the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ). The children’s dental health was examined, and their Decayed, Extracted, and Filled Teeth (def) index was recorded. Descriptive statistics were used and chi-square test was employed to explore associations between parenting styles, feeding practices, and ECC. Results Of the 100 children, 59 exhibited ECC, and 41 were caries-free. The majority of parents demonstrated authoritative parenting, followed by authoritarian and permissive styles. No statistically significant correlation was identified between various parenting styles and the prevalence of ECC. However, parental feeding styles showed significant association with ECC. Conclusion This study highlights that parental feeding practices, may play a role with increased incidence of ECC irrespective of their distinctive parental attitudes.