{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,6]],"date-time":"2026-05-06T09:17:59Z","timestamp":1778059079039,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1777507200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Children"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Neglect of children\u2019s oral health is a major concern at international, national, and regional levels. Of all the health problems that can occur in childhood, dental ones are among the most common. Tooth decay, for example, is a chronic condition in children and can have long-term consequences, especially in otorhinolaryngology and pediatric diseases if not treated properly. Methods: The data collection method was questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to parents regarding oral hygiene habits and access to dental services; data were collected in dental offices across Timi\u0219 County, encompassing urban, peri-urban, and rural settings. Children enrolled in the study underwent clinical dental examinations to assess their oral health status (dental caries, gingival diseases, developmental anomalies). Results: Parental education level was not significantly associated with the habit of annual dental check-ups (\u03c72, p = 0.092); however, a directional trend was observed. Total monthly family income was significantly associated with the stated reason for not attending dental check-ups (one-way ANOVA, p = 0.043): families with lower incomes more frequently cited financial and logistical barriers, whereas higher-income families cited lack of time or perceived lack of necessity. Parental education level (p &lt; 0.001) and family income (p &lt; 0.001) were both significantly associated with daily tooth-brushing frequency. Conclusions: The efforts of specialists must be increased through coherent policies, adapted education, and real support for vulnerable groups. An informed child, with supported parents, is a child with a real chance at a healthy life. This is not just a professional opinion, but a collective responsibility.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/children13050621","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T10:47:28Z","timestamp":1777546048000},"page":"621","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Barriers to Oral Health Care in Children: Determinants of Dental Neglect"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-4581-8487","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andreea Mihaela","family":"Ki\u0219","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department I of Management and Communication in Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Dan","family":"Iovanescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"},{"name":"Department of ENT, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Liana","family":"Todor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Dentistry, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3852-9060","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ramona Amina","family":"Popovici","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department I of Management and Communication in Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Laria-Maria","family":"Trusculescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department I of Management and Communication in Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-3959-9901","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dana Emanuela","family":"Pitic","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Andreea","family":"Salcudean","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Bioethics, Deontology and Medical Communication, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Adina","family":"Feher","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Andrada Ioana","family":"Dumitru","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Porumb","family":"Anca","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-0757-5998","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Iustin","family":"Olariu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Vasile Goldi\u015f Western University of Arad, 94-96 Revolu\u0163iei Blvd., 310025 Arad, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2022). 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