Factors affecting oral health habits among children with cerebral palsy: pilot study.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors affecting the oral health habits of children with spastic-type cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: A total of 35 children with CP and their mothers were randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. Data regarding their sociodemographic characteristics and their oral health habits were collected during face-to-face interviews.

Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated that mothers' irregular brushing habits were a risk factor for their children's lack of regular brushing habits (odds ratio: 6.4, P = 0.048). Additionally, a significant association was observed between the mother's length of time between dental visits and the length of time between children's dental visits (R(2)= 0.11, P = 0.046).

Conclusions: Mothers' oral health habits, including brushing habits and frequency of dental visits, are important factors in promoting healthy and beneficial oral health habits in children with CP in Turkey.