Psychosocial determinants of oral health outcomes in young children

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Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

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Dorota T Kopycka-Kedzierawski1, Patricia G Ragusa1, Changyong Feng2

  • 1Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|December 23, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Psychosocial factors significantly impact early childhood caries (ECC) development. These social and psychological determinants influence behaviors and oral hygiene, contributing to ECC onset in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Social Epidemiology

Background:

  • Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the social determinants of ECC is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the social determinants of early childhood caries (ECC).
  • To explore alternative pathways through which social factors influence ECC development.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of initially caries-free children aged 1-4 years over 2 years.
  • Regular assessments of caries, oral microbiology, oral hygiene behaviors, and psychosocial risk exposure.
  • Utilized dental exams, saliva assays, interviews, and questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • A composite measure of psychosocial risk was significantly associated with ECC onset.
  • Psychosocial risk predicted ECC via pathways including poor diet, poor oral hygiene, and increased *Lactobacilli* concentrations.
  • Multivariable regression supported the indirect influence of psychosocial risk on ECC onset.

Conclusions:

  • Psychosocial factors are significant social determinants of ECC onset.
  • Evidence suggests psychosocial influences on multiple purported risks for ECC.
  • Highlights the importance of addressing social and psychological factors in ECC prevention.
Abstract

Keywords:
International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS)early childhood cariesoral healthsocial conditionssocial determinants of health

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