Impact of maternal perceived social support on the oral health status and oral health-related quality of life of their children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated how maternal perceived social support affects oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 262 Egyptian mothers with children of both genders at the preschool age have been recruited. Maternal perceived social support was evaluated using the validated Arabic version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The oral health of the preschoolers was assessed through clinical examinations, which measured caries experience using the dmft index and oral hygiene status using the debris index-simplified (DI-S) component of the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S). The OHRQoL of preschool children was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire. Results: The mean scores of social support from family and significant others (spouse) were significantly higher than those from friends. It was found that the mean (SD) dmft score of the preschool children is 7.5 (4.2), while their oral hygiene, as indicated by the debris component (DI-S), had a mean score of 1.1. A negative correlation between maternal MSPSS score and OHRQoL scores of the children was reported. Conclusion: Both levels of household income and the mother’s education were positively associated with maternal perceived social support. There was a non-significant negative correlation between maternal MSPSS scores and children’s oral health status. Future research with a longitudinal nature to assess causation is recommended.