title: Factors related to children's caries: a structural equation modeling approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental caries among preschool children is highly prevalent in many less-developed countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A model which explored the factors related to children's dental caries was tested in this study using structural equation modeling. Caregivers of children aged 5 years were surveyed on their socioeconomic status, and their oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices. In addition, information on their children's oral health practices, dental insurance and dental service utilization were collected. Examination of caries was conducted on all children who returned fully completed questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that socioeconomic factors influenced children's oral health practices through the impact of caregivers' oral health knowledge and practices; that caregivers' oral health knowledge affected children's oral health practices through the influence of caregivers' oral health attitudes and practices; and finally, that children's oral health practices were linked directly to their caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings have important applications for promoting policies aimed at advancing children's oral health.
authors.forename: Rong Min
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Edward C M
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Qing Hui
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Zhi
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Road West, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510055, China. lin_hc@163.net.
authors.forename: Huan Cai
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires