Risks for Early Childhood Caries Analyzed by Negative Binomial Models

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 137 - 141
• Main Authors: Thitasomakul, S., Piwat, S., Thearmontree, A., Chankanka, O., Pithpornchaiyakul, W., Madyusoh, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE Publications 01.02.2009; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Animals; Breast Feeding - adverse effects; Calcium, Dietary - therapeutic use; Child Rearing; Child, Preschool; Dental Caries - epidemiology; Dental Caries - etiology; Dentistry; Diet, Cariogenic; Dietary Sucrose - adverse effects; Edible Grain; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Milk; Models, Statistical; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thailand - epidemiology; Thailand; incidence density; longitudinal study; crude caries increment; early childhood caries; negative binomial models
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/0022034508328629

Because of the high incidence of early childhood caries (ECC), a longitudinal study to identify risk factors from the prenatal period to the child’s first birthday among 9- to 18-month-old children was conducted with negative binomial modeling. Overall, 495 children had dental examinations at ages 9, 12, and 18 months. Mothers were interviewed during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and when the children had dental examinations. The highest incidence of caries was found among children who were born to mothers with ≥ 10 decayed teeth and who never received calcium supplements during pregnancy, and children who were not fed supplementary foods at age 3 months, had sweet-tasting foods at 5 months, started snacking at 5 months, had sugary snacks, had soft drinks, and did not have their teeth brushed daily at 9 months. Thus, prenatal care and child-rearing-practices during and after birth are important risk factors for the incidence and incremental rate of ECC.