MATERNAL DENTAL ANXIETY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES DEVELOPMENT.

Purpose: Poor oral hygiene and dietary habits can lead to the formation of early childhood caries (ECC). Can maternal dental anxiety impact a child's oral health habits? The study aimed to determine if there is a correlation between the level of dental anxiety in mothers and the development of ECC and also between socio-economic status and formation of ECC. Methods: Study was conducted among 60 mothers whose children were undergoing treatment at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka (observed group (N = 30) - without ECC; control group (N = 30) - with ECC). Participants were questioned on their socio-economic status and they filled in the Short version - Dental Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using a student's t-test and logistic regression. Results: No significant difference (p = 0.353) was found in the S-DAI total scores for the observed group (M = 18.100, SD = 8.138) and control group (M = 18.933, SD = 8.870). Regarding the socioeconomic status, a significant correlation was found between the mother's age, educational level of the mother, employment of father, and the number of family members with the presence of ECC in children (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]