Aim: To explore the relationship between oral health status of mothers and caries prevalence of caries among their children in rural areas of Pakistan.

Methodology: This crossectional study was conducted in 9 rural health centers of Punjab, Pakistan. Purposive convenient sampling was used to collect data. Sample size was 500 mothers with their children.

Results: Socioeconomic status of family as well as the purpose for the last visit at dental hospital for the treatment of child were found positively linked with the dmfs of child. Sample of children at very low socioeconomic status (OR: 2.16; 95%CI: 1.36-2.98). Children who visited dental hospital with the reason of having dental problems (OR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.25-2.59). Greater dmfs score was found among children with poor oral hygiene (OR: 1.98; 95%CI: 1.27-3.25). The education of mother was found to be negatively linked with dmfs score of child.

Conclusion: The relationship between maternal and dental caries in children was clearly explained by socioeconomic status or dental behaviors of mother and child in terms of intake of sugar, oral hygiene and reason for last dental visit for child.

Keywords: Maternal oral health, dmfs, childhood carries