title: Identification of caries risk factors in toddlers.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors to predict caries progression in toddlers in primary-healthcare settings for the cost-effective targeting of preventive and referral strategies. We examined 329 children (26 ± 6 mos old) twice, one year apart, in Indiana, USA. A 107-item structured interview was used to collect information from the primary caregiver and child on factors/beliefs/perceptions/behaviors that could affect caries development, transmission of bacteria, medical-dental health, and access to care. Bacterial levels, gingivitis, dental plaque, and caries experience were assessed. Multiple-variable logistic regression models of caries progression toward cavitation included family caries experience, transmission-related behaviors, dietary factors, health beliefs, and lower income, but differed in selected predictors/predictive power by race/ethnicity. Addition of clinical variables did not significantly improve the prediction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, 1011 North University Ave., Room 2029B, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. mfontan@umich.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Swigonski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: A Ferreira
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Zandona
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Stookey
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Zero
mesh_terms: D019540:Area Under Curve; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003469:Culture; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D018450:Disease Progression; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005006:Ethnicity; D005192:Family Health; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology