Research indicates that compared to non-deprived peers,
children living in deprived families are more likely to begin
brushing later in life and less frequently and to attend the
dentist only symptomatically. In addition, their parents also
tend to give sugared snacks and drinks before bedtime
However, no studies exist to date that have investigated
whether a social gradient exists in reported oral
health-related behaviours of (preschool) children. To address
this gap in research, the present study aimed to fully
explore whether a social gradient is present in the oral health
status of preschool children as well as in their reported oral
health-related behaviour.