Association of Early Childhood Caries and Parental Stress

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the association between parental stress and early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed that included 200 children in the age group of 4 to 6 years. Hundred of them attended the Pedodontics department of Terna Dental ollege, Nerul, Navi Mumbai who had ECC .A control group comprising of 100 caries-free children attending kindergartens and preschools in Nerul city was selected. Clinical examinations were carried out to evaluate caries status. The parents of the two study groups completed the parenting stress index (PSI) questionnaire. Details of their Socio-demograhic status were gathered too.

Results: Results are promising.

Conclusion: There is definitely an association between parental stress and ECC. However, the role of sociodemographic factors cannot be ignored.