https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 5, 2025
1341
ARE PARENTS TO BLAME CHILDREN'S CARIES? ANALYSIS OF THE APPROACH
TO FAMILY HYGIENE
Allamurodova Bakhtigul Boymurodovna
Termez University of Economics and Service, Faculty of Medicine
Student of the 3rd stage of Dentistry
allamurodovabaxtigul4@gmail.com
Scientific supervisor:
Xolboyev Norbek Aliniyazovich
Termez University of Economics and Service, Faculty of Medicine, Lecturer, Department of
Medical Clinical Sciences
xolboyevnorbek452@gmail.com
Annotation:
Dental caries in children is often associated with malnutrition, lack of adequate
hygiene skills, and negative habits in the family. This article analyzes the direct influence of
parents on the spread of caries in children, the family approach to oral hygiene, and the lack of
prevention on a scientific basis. The study reveals the inextricable link between the family
hygiene model and child health.
Keywords:
childhood caries, oral hygiene, parental responsibility, family hygiene, sweet
consumption, medical culture, early treatment
Dental caries is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases among children.
According to WHO, 60-90% of school-age children have caries. However, the main factor
behind these figures is not the child himself, but the behavior and hygiene culture of the parents.
In most cases:
The child does not know the rules of tooth brushing or their implementation is not monitored;
The child is given too many sweets and carbonated drinks;
Parents ignore toothache or caries;
The family visits the dentist only when there is pain.
Therefore, childhood caries is not only a pediatric problem, but also a socio-medical issue related
to the family environment and the quality of upbringing.
The study was conducted on the following grounds:
A questionnaire was conducted among 150 children aged 5–12 years and their parents in 2020–
2024;
The severity of caries was assessed based on the results of a dental examination;
Parents' attitude to hygiene, eating habits, and frequency of visits to the doctor were analyzed;
A theoretical analysis was conducted based on scientific articles and WHO documents.
Results
1. Level of parental awareness:
o72% of respondents knew that their child had caries, but only 35% had undergone a medical
examination.
o43% of parents admitted that they did not regularly monitor the child's tooth brushing routine.
2. Eating habits:
o6 out of 10 children eat sweets every day.
o40% of children go to bed without brushing their teeth.
o3. Use of hygiene products:
o28% of children use the wrong toothpaste (fluoride-free or adult).o17% of children brush their
teeth 1-2 times a week, which increases the risk of caries by 3 times.
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volume 4, issue 5, 2025
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The results show that the main cause of dental caries in children is not the child's age or personal
hygiene, but the indifference, lack of knowledge or bad habits of parents. If there is little
attention to oral hygiene in the family, the child also adopts these habits. This is based on the
principle of "modeling behavior" - that is, the child copies the behavior from the parents.
In addition, most parents consider visiting the dentist to be necessary only when there is pain.
This misses the opportunity to timely detect and treat caries at an early stage.
Therefore, dental preventive programs should be carried out not only with children, but also with
their parents. It is the family approach that remains the most effective strategy for maintaining
children's health.
Childhood caries is the result of a negative approach of parents and gaps in the hygiene culture.
Good intentions, but incorrect practice, in many cases, seriously harm the child's dental health.
Prevention is not about teaching how to brush your teeth, but about forming health values in
the family.
Recommendations:
Organize oral hygiene lectures for parents in every school and kindergarten;
Distribute annual reminders (calendars, booklets) to parents on monitoring children's teeth;
Introduce a system of "family hygiene mentors" among medical workers and educators.
References
1.World Health Organization (2022). Oral health factsheet.
2.Finlayson TL, Siefert K, Ismail AI, Sohn W. (2007). "Psychosocial factors and early childhood
caries." Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 35(6), 439–448.
3. Pine CM, Adair PM, Nicoll AD, et al. (2004). "Family patterns of oral health practices and
caries experience." Community Dent Health, 21(3), 135–141.
4. UNICEF Uzbekistan. (2023). Child health and parental responsibility report.
5. Gussy MG, Waters EB, Walsh O, Kilpatrick NM. (2006). "Early childhood caries: current
evidence for etiology and prevention." J Paediatr Child Health, 42(1-2), 37–43.
