A cross sectional study of Mexican caregiver social status, dental knowledge, self‐efficacy, and caregiver/child oral health. A structural equation model

Abstract

Objectives To test hypothetical models relating caregivers' social status, knowledge, and self‐efficacy to caregiver/child (C/C) oral health‐related outcomes. Methods One hundred fifty C/C pairs participated (recruitment = 87.7 percent). Three C/C outcomes were clinically assessed: “Oral self‐care”; “Functional dentitions”; and “Dental treatment needs.” Information about caregiver (CG) social status, knowledge, and self‐efficacy was also gathered. Structural equation modeling tested measurement models (MMs) for CG social status, CG knowledge, and CG self‐efficacy. The structural models (SMs) hypothesized causal paths among CG social status, CG knowledge, CG self‐efficacy, and C/C oral health outcomes. Results All three MMs had a good overall fit (nonsignificant χ2 estimates, Goodness of Fit Index >0.95, Normed Fit Index ~ >0.95, Confirmatory Fit Index >95, Root Mean Square Error Approximation <0.05). For the SMs, the best overall fit was for “Functional dentitions,” while SMs for “Oral self‐care,” and “Dental treatment needs” required revisions. In all the SMs, the path between “Caregiver social status” and “Caregiver knowledge” was significant. In the “C/C Functional dentitions” SM, the significant path linked “CG self‐efficacy” and “Child functional dentition.” In the “C/C Dental treatment needs” SM, the significant path linked “CG self‐efficacy” and “CG functional dentition.” Conclusions Hypothetical models for three oral health‐related outcomes were partly or fully validated.

Studying and Analyze the Factors That Affect Compliance Dentist Recommendations From Parents of Child Patients

“…According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), the cause of high prevalence of dental caries is a violation of oral hygiene [4]. Therefore, it is especially important as a regular visit to the child's dentist (not only for treatment but also for preventive purposes), as well as the provision by doctors of professional advice on oral care, preventive measures, nutrition, age characteristics of dental diseases, etc., as well as their careful implementation by patients (under parental supervision) [5,6] It is the responsibility of parents not only to bring the child to the doctor, but also to make an effort to implement these recommendations. Contact of a dentist is an important step for parents in their care for their children's dental health.…”

Comparison of facilitators and barriers to providing oral hygiene measures in dependent older people and young children: A systematic review

“…Background Lower education 55 Immigrant background of mothers 55 Higher caregiver's social status associated with higher level of dental knowledge 58 …”

“…Lack of organizational possibilities Uniformity for oral hygiene management 59 Time 47,49‐59 Material and human resources 45,59 Access to practical information 45 Interprofessional training 45 Financial incentives for collaborative or active and networking 45 Knowledge regarding interaction OH‐GH 50 Prioritization 47,48 Staff consistency 47 Suitable electronic patient record system 49 Too tired 59 Care for oral hygiene is delegated to the patient or companion and (nurses) do not supervise 59 Oral hygiene only performed for mobile patients 59 Unclear responsibilities 50 Hierarchical relations 50 …”

“…Parent‐related factors Low prioritization of OH 51,58 Tooth brushing is difficult and time‐consuming 56 Mothers frustrated giving up 56 Husbands not reinforcing oral health practices/ providing sugary foods/drinks 56 Oral health/ hygiene awareness 52‐54 Little knowledge about benefit of OH 54 Overload of mothers 52 Laziness 51,52 Fatalism 56 …”

Healthy Life Habits in Caregivers of Children in Vulnerable Populations: A Cluster Analysis

“…Especially in their first years of life, children need to be constantly supervised by others to ensure their survival and well-being [31,32]. During this stage of life, children's behaviors are strongly influenced by the attitudes and living habits of their caregivers, who may facilitate (or limit) certain activities [3][4][5]24,30], model new patterns of behaviors [5,25,28,30,33,34], or instill life values [4,30,35]. Given that caregivers are a key factor in the acquisition of children's life habits, many intervention programs that seek to address the health and well-being of young children have focused on changing caregivers' parenting practices, either through psychoeducation or by making them an integral part of the change process [5,[28][29][30][31]36,37].…”