Residual factors associated with poor oral hygiene among Japanese kindergarten children: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To identify behavioural and household factors associated with poor oral hygiene among Japanese kindergarten children in a population with high health awareness, using the Debris Index-Simplified (DI-S) as a clinical proxy for early oral hygiene deterioration.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Seven kindergartens in Sapporo city, Japan.

Participants

Of the 1229 kindergarten children invited, 871 provided parental consent (consent rate: 70.9%). Among them, 675 children aged 1-6 years who completed both the questionnaire and oral examination (completion rate: 54.9%). Most post-consent losses were due to logistical and staffing constraints. Children were stratified into ≤3 year and ≥4 year academic classes.

Primary and secondary outcome measures</

SUBMITTER: Oiwa D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815136 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature