ARE PARENTS TO BLAME CHILDREN'S CARIES? ANALYSIS OF THE APPROACH TO FAMILY HYGIENE

Аннотация

Dental caries in children is often associated with malnutrition, lack of adequate hygiene skills, and negative habits in the family. This article analyzes the direct influence of parents on the spread of caries in children, the family approach to oral hygiene, and the lack of prevention on a scientific basis. The study reveals the inextricable link between the family hygiene model and child health. Keywords: childhood caries, oral hygiene, parental responsibility, family hygiene, sweet consumption,medical culture, early treatment Dental caries is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases among children. According to WHO, 60-90% of school-age children have caries. However, the main factor behind thesefigures isnot thechild himself, but thebehavior and hygiene culture oftheparents. In mostcases: Thechild does not knowthe rules oftoothbrushing or theirimplementation is notmonitored; Thechild is giventoomany sweets and carbonated drinks; Parents ignoretoothache orcaries; Thefamily visitsthedentist onlywhen thereis pain. Therefore, childhood caries is notonly a pediatric problem, but also a socio-medical issuerelated tothefamily environment and the qualityofupbringing. Thestudy was conducted onthefollowing grounds: A questionnaire was conducted among 150 children aged 5–12 years and their parents in 2020– 2024; Theseverity of caries was assessed based ontheresults ofa dental examination; Parents' attitudeto hygiene, eating habits,and frequency of visitsto thedoctorwere analyzed; Atheoretical analysis was conducted based onscientificarticles and WHOdocuments.