Resumen

NAVAS P, Rita et al. Salud bucal en preescolares: su relación con las actitudes y nivel educativo de los padres. INCI [online]. 2002, vol.27, n.11, pp.631-634. ISSN 0378-1844.

Oral health conditions and their relation to parental attitudes and educational level were determined in pre-school children. Oral health was evaluated in 132 children through the evaluation of initial and manifest cavities. The plaque index and gingival index were also measured, and attitudes toward oral hygiene and educational level of parents were determined. Manifest caries were reported in 41.9% of pre-school children whose parents had favorable attitudes (P <0.05). In individuals with parents of low educational level, initial (33.3%) and manifest (52.4) caries showed the highest values (P <0.05). The more severe degrees in plaque and gingival indices were observed in individuals whose parents had unfavorable attitudes toward oral hygiene (33.3 and 66.6%, respectively). It is concluded that in the studied children there is a statistically significant relation between dental caries, gingival index and plaque index, and the parental attitudes and educational level. This reaffirms the need for preventive programs with the participation of parents of children in pre-school age, for the acquisition of oral health habits

Palabras clave : Nivel Educativo; Padres; Preescolares; Salud Bucal.