Multiple regression analysis of dental status and related food behaviour of French Canadian adolescents

Variables included in a theoretical model of the caries process have been studied in an adolescent population. Four multiple regression analyses were performed to uncover significant explanatory factors for: DMF(T) index, plaque index, frequency of sweets consumption between meals and frequency of sweets consumption at meals. Each analysis produced a significant R2 explaining respectively 29%, 15%, 74% and 62% of the variance. The results demonstrated the contribution of the different factors included in the proposed model. They suggested that plaque index was by far the most significant factor of the DMF(T) index. Sweets consumption was a significant determinant of caries experience independent of any relation to plaque index. Adolescent girls, even with less plaque accumulation, had a higher caries index than boys of the same age. Parent's education was related to dental status of children at time of adolescence.