Parenting is a demanding journey, and for those raising children with intellectual disabilities, it comes with a unique set of challenges¹. Beyond the daily demands, there are often unseen struggles, and one crucial area that can be impacted is a child’s Parenting is a demanding journey, and for those raising children with intellectual disabilities, it comes with a unique set of challenges.¹ Beyond the daily demands, there are often unseen struggles, and one crucial area that can be impacted is a child’s health—specifically, their dental and oral health. Individuals with intellectual disabilities often have poorer oral hygiene compared to the general population, which can lead to pain, difficulty eating, and sleep disturbances.¹

A new study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry explores a critical, often-overlooked factor: the parent’s own stress level.¹ The research aimed to determine if there was a direct link between parenting stress and a parent’s education, knowledge, and attitude when it comes to maintaining their child’s oral health.¹ The findings reveal a powerful connection that has significant implications for healthcare providers and families.¹

The Study at a Glance

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 104 parents of children with intellectual disabilities at two special schools in Bandung Regency, Indonesia.¹ Using established questionnaires like the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), they measured four key variables¹:

• Parenting stress levels¹
• The parent’s highest level of education¹
• The parent’s knowledge regarding oral health maintenance¹
• The parent’s attitude toward performing oral health care¹

Key Findings: A Clear Connection Emerges

The study provided a snapshot of the challenges these families face. Over half of the parents surveyed (51%) reported experiencing a moderate level of parenting stress.¹ Most had a high school education (36.5%), a “sufficient” level of knowledge (48.1%), and an “adequate” attitude (46.2%) towards dental care.¹

The most significant finding was the clear, statistically significant relationship between all of these factors.¹

• The Overall Link: The study confirmed a multivariate relationship between parenting stress and the combined influence of a parent’s education, knowledge, and attitude, with a p-value of 0.0008.¹
• Stress and Education: Parenting stress was significantly related to the parent’s education level.¹ Previous research supports this, showing that parents with lower education often experience higher stress.¹
• Stress and Knowledge: A strong relationship was found between parenting stress and the parent’s knowledge of oral health.¹
• Stress and Attitude: Parenting stress also had a significant relationship with a parent’s attitude toward maintaining oral health.¹

Crucially, the analysis concluded that parental knowledge is the factor most strongly related to parenting stress.¹

Why This Matters: From Stress to Action

This research highlights that a parent’s ability to manage their child’s oral health is not just about knowing what to do; it’s deeply intertwined with their own well-being and background. Factors like lower education and financial difficulties can increase parental stress.¹ This stress, in turn, can act as a barrier, influencing a parent’s knowledge and attitude toward performing essential health maintenance for their child.¹

Knowledge and attitude are key drivers of behavior. As the study notes, the higher a person’s education, the easier it is for them to absorb and act on new information.¹ When a parent is overwhelmed by stress, their capacity to learn, adopt positive attitudes, and consistently perform health-related tasks can be diminished.

The Takeaway: Supporting Parents to Help Children

This study is not about placing blame. Instead, it shines a light on the need for a more holistic approach to care. Recognizing that parenting stress is linked to a child’s oral health outcomes allows for more effective interventions.¹

The authors suggest that these findings should be used by dentists, pediatric specialists, and local health agencies to create better support systems.¹ This could include:

• Providing easily accessible, targeted education for parents on oral health.¹
• Developing programs that address and help alleviate parenting stress.
• Improving dental health services for children with intellectual disabilities, especially in underserved areas like Bandung Regency.¹

By understanding the connection between a parent’s stress and a child’s health, we can create more compassionate and effective systems that support the entire family, leading to better health outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children.

Footnotes

¹Chalid M, Riyanti E, Soewondo W, Andisetyanto P, Rikmasari R, Rakhmatia YD, Tjahajawati S. The Relationship Between Parenting Stress and Parents’ Level of Education, Knowledge, and Attitude Regarding Dental and Oral Health Maintenance in Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2025:17 259-267.