Caries prevalence of children in an infant oral health educational program at a WIC clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of caries between children whose parents had previously participated in an infant oral health educational program (IOHEP) at a WIC clinic with those children whose parents had not participated previously.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty children aged 1 to 5 years participated in the study. A single examiner previously standardized using the WHO diagnostic criteria for caries examined the children.


RESULTS
One hundred and sixteen children were Hispanic (97%). Forty-one of the parents (34%) had previously participated in the IOHEP. Previous participation of the parents in the IOHEP was highly associated with fewer enamel carious lesions (P=.005) and lower dft (P=.043) scores. Children whose parents reported brushing their child's teeth with fluoride toothpaste had significantly lower prevalence of caries (P=.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Infant oral health educational programs directed to parents at WIC can have a positive impact on caries prevention.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA. nurkoc@dentistry.unc.edu
Carlos
C
Nurko
Patricia
P
Skur
John P
JP
Brown
D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005522:Food Services; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides