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Preventive

14 - Oral Health Literacy and its Association with Socioeconomic Status in BronxCare Pediatric Dental Caretakers

Friday, May 22, 2026
10:20 AM - 10:35 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • CK

    Claire Kim, DDS (she/her/hers)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    BronxCare Pediatric Dental Residency
    BronxCare Health System
    Weehawken, New Jersey, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • AS

    Aaron Shea, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Attending
    BronxCare Health System
    BronxCare Health System
    New York, New York, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AL

    Ann A. Layvey-Tardalo, DMD

    Program Director
    BronxCare Health System
    Bronx, New York, United States

Abstract:

Introduction: Caregiver oral health knowledge is critical for pediatric oral health outcomes. Social determinants of health (SDOH), including education attainment and household income, may contribute to persistent oral health misconceptions in underserved populations. This study investigated associations between SDOH and caregiver oral health knowledge.



Methods: A cross-sectional survey assessing caregiver demographics and common oral health misconceptions was administered to guardians of pediatric patients at BronxCare Pediatric Dentistry. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, and odds ratios (CI = 95%) were used to evaluate associations between SDOH and oral health beliefs.



Results: Overall, 73% of respondents (N = 284) endorsed at least one oral health misconception, with a mean misconception score of 3.1 ± 1.6. Common misconceptions included believing that children do not need to see a dentist until school age (43%), that dental caries always cause pain (41%), and that juice does not contribute to dental caries (39%). Lower educational attainment was significantly associated with higher misconception burden (p < 0.01). Caregivers with a high school education or less had increased odds of endorsing misconceptions related to delayed first dental visits (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6–4.1), juice-related caries risk (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4–3.6), and the importance of primary teeth (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.6–5.0). Lower household income was also associated with delayed first dental visit misconceptions (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2–3.1).



Conclusion: Pediatric oral health misconceptions are prevalent and strongly associated with SDOH. Targeted educational interventions may improve health literacy and reduce disparities in outcomes.

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