Do hypomineralized teeth affect parents' emotional states and attitudes more than other discoloration conditions?

Discoloration poses a significant esthetic issue, and parents' opinions and emotional states may vary regarding different types of discoloration, such as molar incisor hypomineralization, caries or chromogenic bacteria. This study aimed to assess parent's emotional state and attitudes towards discoloration in primary and permanent teeth. A two-part questionnaire was designed, consisting of questions about demographic data and simulated visuals of different primary and permanent teeth discoloration conditions. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine the emotional state, while parents' attitudes towards dental consultation for each simulated visual were determined using statements such as "Absolutely yes"; "Yes"; "I don't have an idea"; "No"; "Absolutely no". The simulated visuals included cases of "caries with cavitation", "yellow-brown hypomineralized area", "white hypomineralized area" and "chromogenic bacteria". The questionnaire was distributed to 300 parents through online communication channels. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square, with statistical significance set as p < 0.05. A total of 230 parents completed the questionnaire. The highest VAS scores and the highest percentage of "Absolutely yes" responses were observed for "caries with cavitation" in both primary (77.8%, 81.7%) and permanent (60.4%, 94.3%) teeth. Additionally, statistically significant differences were found in the VAS scores for chromogenic bacteria (p = 0.04), caries with cavitation (p = 0.005), white hypomineralized area (p = 0.01) and yellow-brown hypomineralized area (p = 0.02). Comparatively, parental preferences showed statistically significant differences for chromogenic bacteria (p = 0.01), caries with cavitation (p = 0.01), yellow-brown hypomineralized area (p = 0.01) and white hypomineralized area (p = 0.004). Parents displayed stronger emotional responses towards "caries with cavitation" compared to hypomineralization and chromogenic bacteria discolorations and expressed a positive attitude towards seeking dental consultation.

Parents' Perceptions and Responses to the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

OBJECTIVE: To record parents' awareness of the UK soft drinks industry levy (SDIL) and explore associations between negative psychological reactance to the levy and motivation and intentions to change consumption and purchasing. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey with UK-based parents of children aged 5-11 years (n = 237). Regression analyses were used to test associations between psychosocial responses to the levy and behavioral intentions to change family consumption and purchasing. RESULTS: A total of 92% of responding parents were aware of the SDIL. Of the responding parents, 57% supported its aims, but 29% felt it threatened their freedom of choice. A total of 41% expressed intention to change shopping habits or restrict their child's intake as a result. Reactance and motivation were poorer in low-income families, and intentions to change were positively predicted by motivation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This snapshot suggests that the UK SDIL is largely supported by parents and associated with intentions to change their children's intake.