Dental caries development among African American children: results from a 4‐year longitudinal study

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

E-ISSN: 1600-0528|43|3|200-207

ISSN: 0301-5661

Source: COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Vol.43, Iss.3, 2015-06, pp. : 200-207

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

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Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo examine dental caries development and caries risk factors among preschool African American children from low‐income families in Detroit, Michigan, over a 4‐year window.MethodsData came from a representative sample of 1021 children (0–5 years) and their caregivers in Detroit. The baseline participants in 2002–2003 (W1) were re‐examined in 2004–2005 (W2) and 2007 (W3). Caries was measured using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System. Bivariate and multivariate analyses for repeated data were conducted to explore associations between caries increment outcomes and demographics, access to dental care, oral health‐related behaviours, and social and physical environments.ResultsThe mean number of new noncavitated caries lesions (NCCL) was 2.8 between W1 and W2 and 2.6 between W2 and W3, while the mean number of new cavitated caries lesions (CCL) was 2.0 and 2.0, respectively, during the same time periods. In younger children (<3 years old in W1), higher number of new NCCL than new CCL was observed in both W1–W2 and W2–W3. The risk of new NCCL was associated with child's soda intake and caregiver's age. For the risk of new CCL, significant risk factors included baseline NCCL, baseline CCL, as well as child's age. Baseline caries and child's soda intake were also associated with the risk of developing new decayed, missing and filled tooth surfaces.ConclusionsHigher number of new NCCL relative to CCL was developed among low‐income African American children during early childhood. New caries development was associated with baseline caries and child's soda intake.