Self-reported awareness of unrestored dental caries. Survey of the Oral Health Status of Maryland Schoolchildren, 2000--2001.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess and compare parental awareness of unrestored dental caries needs in a schoolchildren population according to socioeconomic status.


METHODS
Subjective and normative unrestored dental caries data of kindergarten and third-grade children were collected from parental awareness questionnaires and clinical examinations, respectively, used in a 2000--2001 statewide survey of Maryland schoolchildren. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to assess awareness of unrestored dental caries. Parental perceived need also was compared to clinical findings of unrestored dental caries.


RESULTS
Actual (clinically assessed) unrestored dental caries (21%) was found to be 2 times the level of self-reported awareness of dental caries (11%). Those most likely to have significantly incorrect awareness of unrestored dental caries were: (1) low-income populations; (2) residents of the Maryland Eastern Shore. Sensitivity was 34% and specificity 96% in comparing self-assessed, unrestored dental caries need with the clinical findings.


CONCLUSIONS
An incorrect perceived oral health need is high in poorer populations and may serve as a barrier to their achieving optimal oral health, given that disease prevalence is higher and access to oral health care services is lower in this population group.
Goodman
Harold S
HS
Department of Health Promotion and Policy, Program in Pediatric Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA. hsg001@dental.umaryland.edu
Macek
Mark D
MD
Wagner
Mark L
ML
Manz
Michael C
MC
Marrazzo
Ilise D
ID
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents; D012923:Social Class