Epidemiologic study of 19-month-old Edmonton, Alberta children: caries rates and risk factors

A random sample of 938 19-month-old Edmonton children and their parents/caretakers were studied. Parents were interviewed and children were examined. Specimens for a caries activity test were collected at the examination. Results indicated 25 percent of the children had moderate to high caries activity, as shown by the Cariostat, with 4.6 percent showing decalcification lesions and frank caries. Early caries (BBTD) were found to be related to bottle feeding practices, discomfort with allowing the child to cry, and with mother being foreign-born. Foreign-born status was associated with the above parenting practices. Preferences for preventive recommendations and other descriptive results were reported.