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Published on: December 31, 2017

A longitudinal study of dental caries risk among very young low SES children

John J Warren1, Karin Weber-Gasparoni, Teresa A Marshall

  • 1Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1010, USA. john-warren@uiowa.edu

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|December 3, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Early childhood caries (ECC) in high-risk children is predicted by early mutans streptococci (MS) colonization and sugar-sweetened beverage intake. These factors are key to preventing ECC in vulnerable populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Early childhood caries (ECC) poses a significant public health challenge globally.
  • Limited data exists on ECC risk factors in very young, high-risk children.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify baseline risk factors for ECC prevalence at 18 months in a high-risk pediatric population.
  • To inform early intervention and prevention programs for ECC.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 212 children aged 6-24 months from a rural WIC-enrolled population.
  • Dental examinations (d1, d2-3 criteria) and risk factor assessments (beverage consumption, plaque, fluoride toothpaste use, mutans streptococci (MS) levels, sociodemographics) at baseline, 9, and 18 months.
  • Logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of caries at 18 months.

Main Results:

  • Of 128 children completing 18 months, caries prevalence (d1,d2-3/f) increased from 9% to 77%.
  • Frank caries (d2-3/f) prevalence increased from 2% to 20%.
  • Early MS colonization in children (OR=4.4) and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (OR=3.0) were significant predictors of 18-month caries; sociodemographics and fluoride toothpaste use were not.

Conclusions:

  • Early MS colonization and sugar-sweetened beverage intake are significant predictors of ECC in high-risk children.
  • These findings highlight critical targets for ECC prevention in vulnerable populations.
  • Further research should focus on interventions addressing these specific risk factors.
Abstract

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