Cinar, Murtomaa, Tseveenjav studies considering the association of dental caries experience with health- and behavioural capital among pre-adolescents starting from childhood to identify and improve their well-being. Furthermore, the present study speaks for a limited number of participants and there is need for further research with larger sample size. CNoCLSuINoS The dental health of pre-adolescents is interrelated with health- and behavioral capital in different pathways under the influence of social and economic factors experienced in family life. This interrelation functions in populations both with and without a wide range of socio-economic inequalities, such as are represented by Turkey and Finland. Specifically, in Turkey, with no prevention- oriented oral health care system and with social deprivation, the cooperation of pediatricians and dentists is necessary in assessment of general and dental health in a holistic context throughout the life-course, to enhance the well-being of pre- adolescents. Regardless of the complexity of the issue, interventions to promote pre-adolescent dental health through the life-course approach are warranted. REFERENCES 1. Kuh D, Ben-Shlomo Y, Lynch J, Hallqvist J, Power C. Life-course epidemiology. J Epidemiol Community Health 2003;57:778-783. 2. Ben-Shlomo Y, Kuh D. A life-course approach to chronic disease epidemiology: conceptual models, empirical challenges, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Int J Epidemiol 2002;31:285-293. 3. Wadsworth ME. Health inequalities in the life-course perspective. Soc Sci Med 1997;44:859-869. 4. Kuh D, Power C, Blane D, Bartley M. Social pathways between childhood and adult health. In Kuh D, Ben-Shlomo Y, eds. A Life-course Approach to Chronic Diseases Epidemiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press;1997:169-198. 5. Nicolau B, Marcenes W, Allison P, Sheiham A. The life- course approach: explaining the association between height and dental caries in Brazilian adolescents. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2005;33:93-98. 6. Nicolau B, Marcenes W, Bartley M, Sheiham A. A life-course approach to assessing causes of dental caries experience: the relationship between biological, behavioural, socio- economic and psychological conditions and caries in adolescents. Caries Res 2003;37:319–326. July 2008 - Vol.2 7. Marshall TA, Eichenberger-Gilmore JM, Broffitt BA, Warren JJ, Levy SM. Dental caries and childhood obesity: roles of diet and socioeconomic status [Online Early Articles]. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2007. Available at: http://www.blackwell- synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2006.00353.x. Accessed 19.11.2007. 8. O’Dea JA, Wilson R. Socio-cognitive and nutritional factors associated with body mass index in children and adolescents: possibilities for childhood obesity prevention. Health Educ Res 2006;21:796-805. 9. Zabinski MF, Daly T, Norman GJ, Rupp JW, Calfas KJ, Sallis JF, et al. Psychosocial correlates of fruit, vegetable, and dietary fat intake among adolescent boys and girls. J Am Diet Assoc 2006;106:814-821. 10. Basak AC, Kosku N, Murtomaa H. Self-efficacy perspective on oral health among Turkish pre-adolescents. Oral Health Prev Dent 2005;4:209-215. 11. Mattila ML, Rautava P, Aromaa M, Ojanlatva A, Paunio P, Hyssälä L, et al. Behavioural and demographic factors during early childhood and poor dental health at 10 years of age. Caries Res 2005;39:85-91. 12. Mattila ML, Rautava P, Paunio P, Ojanlatva A, Hyssälä L, Helenius H, et al. Caries experience and caries increments at 10 years of age. Caries Res 2001;35:435-441. 13. WHO. Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases: report of a joint WHO/FAO expert consultation [serial on the internet]. Geneva: WHO; 1990:916:40-45. Available at: http:// www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/who_fao_expert_report.pdf. Accessed 19.11.2007. 14. WHO. Oral health promotion: an essential element of a health-promoting school [serial on the Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2003. Available at: http://www.who.int/oral_health/ publications/doc11/en/. Accessed 19.11.2007. 15. Willerhausen B, Blettner M, Kasaj A, Hohenfellner K. Association between body mass index and dental health in 1,290 children of elementary schools in a German city. Clin Oral Investig 2007;3:195-200. 16. Willershausen B, Haas G, Krummenauer F, Hohenfellner K. Relationship between high weight and caries frequency in German elementary school children. Eur J Med Res 2004;9:400-404. 17. Gibson LY, Byrne SM, Davis EA, Blair E, Jacoby P, Zubrick SR. The role of family and maternal factors in childhood obesity. Med J Aust 2007;186:591-592. 18. Franklin J, Denyer G, Steinbeck KS, Caterson ID, Hill AJ. Obesity and risk of low self-esteem: a statewide survey of Australian children. Pediatrics 2006;118:2481-2487. 19. Cinar BA, Murtomaa HA. Comparison of psychosocial factors related to dental anxiety among Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents. Oral Health Prev Dent 2007;5:173-179. 159 European Journal of Dentistry