Family characteristics and caries experience in preschool children. A longitudinal study from pregnancy to 5 years of age

Wigen TI, Espelid I, Skaare AB, Wang NJ. Family characteristics and caries experience in preschool children. A longitudinal study from pregnancy to 5 years of age. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011; 39: 311–317. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S – Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore associations between family status, family income, family size, mother’s age at child birth, mother’s education and parents’ national background and caries experience in 5‐year‐old children. Method: This study is based on data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Public Dental Services. A total of 1348 children were followed from pregnancy to the age of 5 years. Questionnaires were completed by mothers twice during pregnancy and when the children were 3 and 5 years of age. Clinical and radiographic examination of the children was performed at the age of 5 years. Results: Caries experience in the 5‐year‐old children was low; 89% had no caries experience (d3–5 mft = 0). In multiple logistic regression having one or both parents of non‐western origin (OR 3.4, CI 1.6–7.3), having had a change in family status from pregnancy to 5 years of age (OR 2.0, CI 1.1–3.4) and having mother with low education (OR 1.9, CI 1.3–2.8) were statistically significant risk indicators for having caries experience at the age of five. Conclusion: Family characteristics in pregnancy and early life were associated with caries experience in 5‐year‐old children. Primary care personnel meeting young children with one or several of these characteristics should consider referring the child to dental personnel to enable early initiation of health‐promoting activities.