Parental health belief model constructs associated with oral health behaviors, dental caries, and quality of life among preschool children in China: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a prevalent health problem that negatively affects both overall health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study investigated the association between health belief model (HBM) constructs and oral health behaviors, dental caries, and OHRQoL in preschool children in China.

Methods

A total of 1562 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years were recruited from six public kindergartens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, by using stratified cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to parents to collect information on demographics, HBM constructs, oral health behaviors, dental caries, and OHRQoL. Regression models were used to examine relationships between HBM constructs and the outcomes.

Results

Parental perceiv

SUBMITTER: Liu SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11657512 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature