title: Correlation between mutans streptococci counts of parents and their children residing in Chandigarh, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of Mutans Streptococci (MS) in children and to evaluate the relationship between the salivary levels of MS in children and their parents.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 children aged 3-6 years along with their parents (100 mothers and fathers each) were included in the study. The children were segregated depending upon their age and level of caries experience. The children were examined clinically on an ordinary chair in natural daylight using the Møller's index criteria. Assays for Mutans Streptococci (MS) were done for both the children and their parents using the Dentocult SM strip mutans test. Collected data was assessed using SPSS software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of MS in the children was 83%. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) was observed between salivary MS counts of children and their mothers. No significant correlation was seen with the fathers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings conclude that if primary caregivers harbour high levels of MS in their saliva, it is likely that their children will have the same. Key words:Mutans streptococci, parents, children, dentocult SM kits.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head. Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Gian Sagar Dental, College and Hospital, Rajpura, Punjab.
authors.forename: Parampreet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pannu
authors.affiliation: Professor and Ex Head. Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.affiliation: Professor and Ex Head. Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
authors.forename: Amrit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tewari
authors.affiliation: Professor and Director. Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gauba
authors.affiliation: Dental Consultant. Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry. Sukh-Iqbal Dental Clinic, Chandigarh.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sujlana
authors.affiliation: Sr. Lecturer. Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Rajpura, Punjab.
authors.forename: Ramandeep S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gambhir