Factors affecting oral health habits among children with cerebral palsy: pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors affecting the oral health habits of children with spastic-type cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
A total of 35 children with CP and their mothers were randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. Data regarding their sociodemographic characteristics and their oral health habits were collected during face-to-face interviews.


RESULTS
Logistic regression analysis indicated that mothers' irregular brushing habits were a risk factor for their children's lack of regular brushing habits (odds ratio: 6.4, P = 0.048). Additionally, a significant association was observed between the mother's length of time between dental visits and the length of time between children's dental visits (R(2)= 0.11, P = 0.046).


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers' oral health habits, including brushing habits and frequency of dental visits, are important factors in promoting healthy and beneficial oral health habits in children with CP in Turkey.
Faculty of Health Education, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. feryalsubasi@superonline.com
Feryal
F
Subasi
Gonca
G
Mumcu
Leyla
L
Koksal
Hale
H
Cimilli
Demet
D
Bitlis
D002547:Cerebral Palsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014421:Turkey