Warm, structured parenting helps kids develop positive behaviour, but it makes no difference to their oral health.
Authoritative parenting makes no difference to a child's oral health
A study at Mersin University looked at 167 preschoolers aged 3–6 and their parents to explore how temperament, emotional and behavioural problems, and parenting style influence oral health and dental visit habits.
Researchers used the Temperament Scale for Children (TSC), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) to measure behaviour and parenting approaches. Children’s teeth were examined for decay, fillings, plaque, and gum health, and their dental attendance was tracked.
The findings showed that girls had fewer emotional and behavioral problems than boys. Authoritative parenting - warm, responsive, and structured - was linked to more positive temperament in children.
However, neither parenting style nor child temperament had a measurable impact on oral health or how often children visited the dentist.
Researchers suggest other factors, like family routines, access to care, and socioeconomic conditions, may play a larger role in shaping dental outcomes than behaviour or parenting style alone.
The study highlights the importance of understanding a child’s temperament in pediatric care. Children raised with authoritative parenting tend to cooperate better in clinical settings, but their oral health still relies on consistent care, healthy habits, and preventive visits.
Suzanne Brown, a pediatric dental specialist not involved in the study, said: “Recognising a child’s temperament and family context is crucial for managing behaviour in dental clinics, but oral health outcomes require consistent preventive care alongside behavioural strategies.”
By understanding a child’s temperament and the parenting approach at home, dental professionals can tailor behaviour management strategies to create a more positive and cooperative experience for young patients.
While oral health itself may not be directly influenced by parenting style, combining consistent preventive care with guidance on emotional and behavioural development could help establish lifelong healthy habits and reduce stress during dental visits.