title: Knowledge and beliefs concerning early childhood caries from mothers of children ages zero to 12 months.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study's purpose was to assess mothers' knowledge and beliefs about early childhood caries (ECC) etiology and prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study targeted mothers (N=277) of zero- to 12-month-olds visiting 12 public health care centers in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Information on causes of and recommendations to prevent ECC, as well as socioeconomic and demographic variables, was collected. Chi-square, univariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed (P<.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sugar intake and lack of oral hygiene were the most frequently mentioned causes of caries. Ninety percent of the mothers were aware of the need to begin tooth-brushing during their children's first year. Mothers who had more children and were in lower socioeconomic positions were more likely to not know the correct age for the first dental visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings showed that mothers do not know all the factors that can influence caries in their children. None reported the role of micro-organisms and lack of fluoride in the caries etiology. These findings highlight the importance of providing preventive orientation to the mothers regarding early childhood caries. Information on age of first dental visit should be emphasized, especially among mothers with more than one child and low-income families.
authors: Infant Clinic, Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. marinasazevedo@hotmail.com.
authors: Marina Sousa
authors: MS
authors: Azevedo
authors: Infant Clinic, Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors: Ana Regina
authors: AR
authors: Romano
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors: Iná da Silva
authors: Ida S
authors: Dos Santos
authors: Operative Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors: Maximiliano Sergio
authors: MS
authors: Cenci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011203:Poverty; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose