Social influences on the dental health behaviour of five year-olds

Abstract

THE dental care of 405 five year-old school children was investigated in a predominantly rural area of west Wales. Information was gathered from a ques tionnaire administered to parents covering a range of social variables. Some social class differences were noted but these were partly explained by reference to facilitating factors such as the possession of a car or telephone. It was the mother's educational level and her knowledge and attitudes which substan tially accounted for behaviour affecting the child's dental health. Of importance here were her degree of 'fatalism' and anxiety about dentistry. Mothers who were themselves regular or irregular attenders dif fered in their awareness of the dental services available.