title: Factors affecting early childhood caries among WIC-enrolled children in Linn County, Iowa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with early childhood caries (ECC) among children enrolled in 3 centers offering Iowa Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in Linn County, Iowa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data pertaining to dental caries and its determinants were collected for 115 children. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted concerning outcome variables of ECC and having greater than 50 colony-forming units (CFUs) of salivary mutans streptococcus (>50 CFUs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final logistic regression model for factors associated with ECC found that children with presence of visible plaque were 2.78 times more likely to have ECC (odds ratio [OR]=3.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.41-10.16) and children were 0.13 times more likely to have ECC (OR=1.13, 95%  CI=1.04-1.26) for each increase of one month in age. A final logistic model concerning greater than 50 CFUs showed that the children with presence of plaque on any maxillary incisor were 2.39 times more likely to have greater than 50 CFUs (OR=3.39, 95% CI=1.28-8.96) and the children were 0.61  times more likely to have greater than 50 CFUs with an increase in cariogenicity of sippy cup contents by 1 level (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.03-2.50).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence of visible plaque on maxillary incisors was associated with increased risk for presence of early childhood caries.  The presence of visible plaque on any maxillary incisor and more cariogenicity of sippy cup contents were associated with having more than 50 CFUs.
authors: Department of preventive Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore. pndrn@nus.edu.sg
authors: Rahul
authors: R
authors: Nair
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Weber-Gasparoni
authors: Teresa A
authors: TA
authors: Marshall
authors: John J
authors: JJ
authors: Warren
authors: Steven M
authors: SM
authors: Levy
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011632:Public Assistance; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification