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Published on: December 31, 2017
Factors Associated With Parent-Reported Caries in Preschool Children From the KUNO-Kids Health Study-Repeated
Áine M Lennon1, Katharina Fluch-Maier1, K-A Hiller1
1Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Parent-reported caries (PRC) increased with age, influenced by factors like maternal health, socioeconomic status, diet, and oral hygiene practices. Identifying these risk factors aids in developing targeted prevention strategies for early childhood caries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parent-reported caries (PRC) in children aged 2-5 years.
- To identify parental, child, and environmental factors associated with PRC.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based, repeated cross-sectional analysis of a birth-cohort study.
- Included parental factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, dental attendance), child factors (e.g., diet, hygiene), and environmental factors (e.g., sibling caries).
- Analyzed data from 1296 families at age 2, with decreasing numbers up to age 5.
Main Results:
- PRC rates increased from 0.4% at age 2 to 4.4% at age 5.
- Associated factors varied by age, including maternal migration background, paternal education, late weaning, sibling caries, mouth-breathing, poor diet, and infrequent maternal dental check-ups.
- Pet contact and pacifier hygiene also showed associations.
Conclusions:
- Identified key parental, child, and environmental risk factors for early childhood caries.
- Highlights novel factors requiring further investigation for targeted prevention.
- Emphasizes the importance of a multifactorial approach to ECC prevention.
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