Association of Socioeconomic Status and Maternal Education as a Factors of Oral Hygiene, Debris, and Calculus Status among School going Children of Lahore: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Oral hygiene plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and preventing oral diseases. Socioeconomic status and, maternal education recognized as important social determinants that influence children oral health behaviors and outcomes. However, evidence regarding their association with oral hygiene status, debris and calculus accumulation remains limited in many developing countries. Objectives: To evaluate the association of socioeconomic status and maternal education with oral hygiene status, debris and calculus status among children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 children aged 10-15 years selected from socially disadvantaged communities in Lahore. Data on socioeconomic status and maternal education were collected using a structured questionnaire. Oral examinations were performed using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), including the Debris index-Simplified (DI-S) and Calculus-Simplified index (CL-S). Socioeconomic status was categorized. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Association between socioeconomic status, maternal education, and oral hygiene parameters were parameter were assessed using the Chi-square test, independent t-test, ANOVA, or regression analysis as appropriate. A p- value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Children from lower socioeconomic background demonstrated significantly poorer oral hygiene status, with higher mean debris and calculus scores compared with those from higher socioeconomic groups. Similarly, lower maternal educational Attainment was significantly associated with poorer oral hygiene, increased debris accumulation, and higher calculus are important determinants of children's oral hygiene. Conclusion: Lower socioeconomic status and lower maternal education were significantly associated with poorer oral hygiene, increased debris accumulation, and greater calculus deposition among children. These findings highlight the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities and promoting maternal oral health education through targeted community-based preventive programs to improve children's oral health.

Keywords: Oral hygiene, socioeconomic status, maternal education,debris index, calculus index, OHI-S.