Do oral health literacy, economic status, and education of parents or caregivers influence the choice of pediatric dental procedures? A cross-sectional study

Aim: The knowledge and behavior of parents or caregivers are strongly linked to the oral health outcomes of their children. Identifying factors that influence treatment choices is essential for improving pediatric dental care. This study aimed to assess the impact of oral health literacy (OHL), education level, and socioeconomic status of parents or caregivers on the selection of pediatric dental procedures for their children. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 423 parents or caregivers responsible for children aged 3–12 years attending a university dental clinic. Three instruments were used: (1) a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics and family oral health, (2) the Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30), and (3) a validated tool presenting clinical images of carious lesions with multiple treatment options. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation test, with significance set at 5% (p < 0.05). Results: Of the participants, 76.2% were female, with a mean age of 36 years. Most respondents (76.5%) belonged to economic class C or lower. The mean BREALD-30 score was 19.36 (SD = 6.94), with 53% classified as having normal OHL. Caregivers with lower OHL, lower educational attainment, and greater socioeconomic vulnerability demonstrated a strong preference for invasive treatments, such as tooth extraction, particularly in advanced caries scenarios. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant associations between OHL scores, education, socioeconomic class, and treatment preferences (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The combination of low OHL, limited education, and economic disadvantage influences parental decision-making, favoring invasive procedures over conservative approaches. These findings underscore the need for targeted oral health education and preventive strategies aimed at caregivers to promote minimally invasive treatment choices for children