Family functioning, sociodemographic and family factors associated with dental caries in children

Authors

  • Ashley Lorena Méndez Pérez Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia
  • Camilo Romo Pérez Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia
  • Luis Vila Sierra Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.01.200.961

Keywords:

dental caries, oral health, family, caregivers, family relations

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic oral disease, it is associated with problems with chewing, nutrition, and a worse quality of life; recently family characteristics, functioning, and socioeconomic conditions have been identified as related factors.  

Objective: Determine the association between family functioning, sociodemographics, and family factors with dental caries in children attended at the Pediatric Dentistry area of the Universidad del Magdalena, period 2022-II. 

 Method: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study with a sample of 196 patients.  

Results: 41.3 % of nuclear families, 64.8 % economic income less than or equal to one SMMLV. Prevalence of normal family function n = 120 (61.2 %), mild dysfunction n = 54 (27.5 %), severe dysfunction n = 13 (6.6 %), and moderate dysfunction n = 9 (4.5%) according to the family APGAR. According to the caries experience index, 5.1% presented a very low risk, 2.6 % low risk, 9.7 % moderate risk, 20.4 % high risk, and 62.2 % very high risk. A multivariate analysis of binomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between caries and family characteristics. Conclusions: No significant association was found between family functioning and childhood caries; the role of the older sibling as a caregiver and the informal occupation of the head of household were protective factors against worse oral health, being an important basis for future studies in the area of family health.  

Author Biographies

Ashley Lorena Méndez Pérez, Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia

Odontólogo, Universidad del Magdalena (Colombia). Magíster en Epidemiología, Universidad del Magdalena. ashleylorena2009@gmail.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7264-5092  

Camilo Romo Pérez, Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia

Odontólogo, Universidad del Magdalena (Colombia). Magíster en Epidemiología, Universidad del Magdalena. Docente, programa de Odontología, Fundación Universitaria San Martín. camilo.romo@sanmartin.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9157-5093

Luis Vila Sierra, Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia

Odontólogo, Universidad de Cartagena (Colombia). Especialista en Docencia Universitaria, Universidad El Bosque (Colombia). Magíster en Desarrollo Social, Universidad del Norte (Colombia). Doctorado en Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad del Magdalena. Docente, Universidad del Magdalena. luvila25@yahoo.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3888-1061

Published

2025-04-01

How to Cite

Méndez Pérez, A. L., Romo Pérez, C., & Vila Sierra, L. (2025). Family functioning, sociodemographic and family factors associated with dental caries in children . Salud Uninorte, 41(1), 92–111. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.01.200.961

Issue

Section

Original Article