The relationship between marital quality and oral health status

This study investigated whether oral health status is associated with marital quality. 164 families (father, mother and at least one 13-year-old child) from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were selected from 13-year-old children from private and state schools. The parents' ages ranged from 35 to 44 years. A highly significant negative association between marital quality and the father's (p < 0.001), mother's (p < 0.001) and child's dental caries (p < 0.01) was found. A significant negative association between marital quality and periodontal diseases was also found for fathers (p < 0.01) and mothers (p < 0.05). Other significant associations were found within the population studied. Lower sugar consumption, upper socio-economic status, higher frequency of dental attendance, higher toothbrushing frequency and younger age were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with lower levels of dental caries. Upper socio-economic status, lower work-related mental demand and higher frequency of dental attendance were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with better periodontal status.