Background: Dental caries is multifactorial in origin and early childhood caries is considered to be severe form of dental caries. Early childhood caries is a chronic disease which affects children. Its prevalence is five times more prevalent than asthma and seven times higher than that of allergic rhinitis. Majority of parents don’t seek dental checkup for their children until there is severe pain which leads to progression of dental caries. Aim: The objective of this study was to study and evaluatethe effect of parent’s dental caries in children s caries status. Material method: A total of 300 parents, along with their parents were selected for the study. Children aged between 12 to 36 months were selected for the study. Children were examined for dental caries. Along with the children caries status and oral hygiene of their parents were also examined. Result: 38.3% children were found to be affected by caries whose parents had never attended school and only 2.6% children were affected from dental caries incase of post graduated parents. Statistical significant association was found between parent’s education, annual income and child caries status. Conclusion: Parents oral hygiene status, education, dental caries status and feeding practices play an immense role in caries status of their children. Health education based on feeding pattern, dental visits should be provided to parents.
Key words: Early childhood caries, mother, risk factors, mother’s behavior, parent’s education.