Association of Children’s Oral Health–Related Quality of Life with Parental Oral Health Literacy

Background

Oral health-related quality of life affects childhood functions, including nutrition, speech, sleep, and social interaction. Parents' knowledge and attitudes regarding oral health shape their children's oral health behaviors. The study aimed to examine the relationship between oral health–related quality of life and parental oral health literacy in children in Türkiye (Eskişehir).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 852 children aged 8–14 years and their parents who were present at to the pediatrics and pedodontics clinics of a university hospital in the first half of 2026. Parents completed a questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, oral health behaviors, the Pediatric Oral Health–Related Quality of Life Scale (POQL), and the Oral Health Literacy Scale (HeLD-14), while children were administered only the POQL. Total POQL scores ranged from 0 to 100, and scores above the median were classified as poor oral health–related quality of life. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with poor oral health–related quality of life.

Results

The mean age of the children was 10.4 ± 2.0 years, and 51.5% were female. Median scores were 12.0 (0–100) for POQL and 48.0 (12–56) for HeLD-14. In multivariable analysis, low parental HeLD 14 score (OR;95%CI;p:1.41;1.04-1.93;0.033), attending the pedodontics clinic (1.65;1.21-2.26;0.001), female sex(1.41;1.04-1.91;0.024), intermediate maternal education level (1.62;1.08-2.48;0.018), lack of parental supervision during tooth brushing(1.54;1.13-2.09;0.006), presence of dental problems in the child (3.23;1.95-5.26;<0.001) and nighttime feeding for longer than 24 months(2.13;1.35-3.38;0.001) were associated with poor oral health–related quality of life (R²:0.24, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Oral health–related quality of life in children is a multifactorial construct shaped by oral health status, dietary habits, sex, parental characteristics, and parental health literacy.

Key messages

• Primary prevention approaches that consider the social determinants of health are important for oral health.

• Multi-level, integrated strategies and education targeting children and parents may improve children’s oral health–related quality of life.