| Summary: | Objective: To determine the relationship between Indigenous mothers’ oral health status and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in their children and to examine whether mothers’ oral health-related self-efficacy (OHSE) mediates this association. Methods: The study included 544 Indigenous pregnant women in Canada, who underwent a clinical examination and completed a survey. Their children underwent a clinical examination when they were 2 years old. Results: After adjusting for mother’s age, smoking status, area of residence (on First Nations reserve or off reserve) and OHSE using logistic regression, Gingival Index (Odds Ratio 3.2, 95% Confidence Interval 1.5–6.6) and Debris Index (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.7) were significantly associated with S-ECC. In the mediation analysis, maternal oral health status measures were negatively associated with OHSE and had a direct effect on S-ECC. Conclusions: Clinical normative measures of Indigenous mothers’ oral health status were significant determinants of S-ECC in their toddlers. M.Sc.
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