Editorial: Impact of Parental Education and Socio-Economic Status on Children's Oral Health Behaviors

Eman K.M. Mansur^1*Marilynn L Rothen²Sherry Shiqian Gao³

• ¹University of Benghazi faculty of Dentistry, Benghazi, Libya
• ²University of Washington, Seattle, United States
• ³Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

Oral health is a multidimensional concept, shaped by biological, behavioral, social, and structural factors, and represents a fundamental element of overall health and wellbeing 1 . Even though dental caries remains one of the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide, it reflects only one aspect of broader inequalities in oral health. These are influenced by unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and health awareness 2 . Amongst these factors, parental education level and socioeconomic status stand out as key factors that significantly influence the course of oral health in children 3 . Families with low levels of education or limited socioeconomic resources often face cumulative obstacles, including low levels of oral health awareness, limited access to preventive dental services, and increased exposure to unhealthy environments 4,5 . These social factors not only shape oral hygiene behaviors and dietary habits, but also determine the family's ability to cope with health systems and adopt preventive practices, thus perpetuating intergenerational inequalities 2,6 .Despite strong evidence linking parental education, socioeconomic status and oral health outcomes, the mechanisms by which these factors operate are still not adequately covered in the global public health discourse 3 . The differences between countries highlight the structural nature of these inequalities, underscoring the need for comprehensive, system-wide strategies to promote health equity 7,8 . This editorial brings together emerging evidence from diverse settings to illustrate how parental education and socioeconomic status act as overarching determinants of children's oral health. Rather than summarizing individual contributions in isolation, the editorial critically analyzes common themes, identifies persistent knowledge gaps, and considers their implications for public health policy, preventive dentistry, and health equity initiatives. Across all the included studies, a consistent pattern emerges linking parental knowledge, social support structures, socioeconomic conditions, broader social determinants, and children's oral health outcomes. Taken together, the evidence reinforces the central role of families and contextual factors, as described in conceptual models of oral health inequalities, in shaping caries experience, hygiene behaviors, service utilization, and developmental conditions affecting teeth. health status and related behaviors. Higher health literacy and family socioeconomic status were strongly associated with better oral health outcomes, while gender-based differences reflected variations in societal expectations and health communication. These findings reinforce the influence of cultural and educational determinants on adolescent oral health and are consistent with global evidence highlighting the interaction between social context and health behaviors. The studies included in this research topic reveal several interconnected themes, reinforcing the interrelated nature of the determinants of children's oral health. First, parental education and health literacy consistently emerge as key factors influencing children's daily oral hygiene practices, dietary choices, and engagement with preventive dental services. Whether it is social support, knowledge of how to access services, or awareness of appropriate feeding and hygiene behaviors, parental capabilities strongly predict children's oral health outcomes. Second, socioeconomic disadvantage exacerbates barriers to preventive care and healthy behaviors. As low socioeconomic status is associated with higher prevalence of dental caries, suboptimal nutritional practices, reduced access to services, and increased risk of developmental conditions such as MIH. These patterns reflect global evidence showing that inequalities in oral health follow clear social gradients across different countries and health systems. Third, studies highlight the importance of integrated policies and public health interventions, particularly those delivered through schools and family centered programs.Interventions that combine oral health education, nutritional counseling, and structured parental support show promising effectiveness in mitigating inequalities when integrated within broader social and health frameworks.These findings collectively confirm that oral health is shaped by multi-level interactions involving individual behaviors, family dynamics, community resources, and national policy environments. They also underscore that improving children's oral health requires addressing both structural and behavioral factors simultaneously. The body of evidence underscores the need to align oral health promotion with parentcentered educational strategies, particularly during early childhood when health habits This research topic clearly demonstrates that improving children's oral health cannot be achieved through clinical services alone. Sustainable progress requires addressing the educational, behavioral, and socioeconomic foundations that shape oral health from a young age. By integrating parental education, addressing social inequalities, and incorporating preventive strategies into community and school systems, health professionals and policymakers can contribute to reducing disparities and promoting lifelong oral health.