Socioeconomic and behavioural determinants of oral health in 6- and 7-year-old schoolchildren from Palermo (Sicily)

Caries and periodontal diseases are highly neglected disease affecting millions of Italian children; both diseases are preventable and the combination of high prevalence, high morbidity and a relative lack of attention of the Italian National Health Service make caries and periodontal disease a significant public health problem.  To date none studies reported epidemiological data of 6–7-year-old-italian-children-population. The aim of this survey was to describe the dental and periodontal health status in 6- and 7-year-old schoolchildren from Palermo and to evaluate the association between socioeconomic determinants and behavioural habits.  A sample of 2701 children aged 6 and 7 from the selected public schools in all the eight districts of the town received a clinical intraoral examination carried out by trained dentists. Parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire investigating children’s eating habits, oral health related behaviours and socioeconomic determinants of the household. The percentage of 6- and 7-year-old schoolchildren with at least one carious lesion was found to be 66.5%. A higher mother’s and father’s educational level were a protective factor for carious lesions; conversely, a paternal unemployment was found to be a risk factor. Living in II and VII districts was a risk factor for all stages of carious lesions. KEY WORDS: Dental caries; Schoolchildren; Oral health-related determinants; Caries risk factors; ICDAS II; Caries epidemiology; Deprivation index; Oral health promotion; Dental sealants; Di.Chir.On.S 2021