Abstract
Purpose: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a significant public health concern disproportionately affecting low-income children. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between the establishment of a dental home and ECC prevalence in a group of Medicaid-enrolled preschool children, and to explore feeding practices associated with an increased prevalence of ECC in Medicaid-enrolled preschool children with an established dental home was evaluated.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Medicaid-enrolled children (n=132) between 2 and 5 years of age with an established dental home and no dental home to compare feeding practices, parental knowledge of caries risk factors and oral health status.
Results: Children with an established dental home had lower rates of biofilm (p<0.05), gingivitis (p<0.05) and mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) scores (p<0.05). Children with no dental home consumed more soda and juice (p<0.05) daily, and ate more sticky fruit snacks (p<0.05) than children with an established dental home. Establishment of a dental home had a strong protective effect on caries and DMFT index (odds ratio=0.22) in both univariate and confounding adjusted analyses.
Conclusion: The results suggest establishment of a dental home, especially among high-risk, low-income populations, decreases the prevalence of ECC and reduces the practice of cariogenic feeding behaviors.
Footnotes
Erin A. Kierce, RDH, MS, MPH is Manager of Clinical Hygiene Practice and Professional Development at New England Family Dentistry in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Linda D. Boyd, RDH, RD, EdD, is Dean and Professor at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS University. Lori Rainchuso, RDH, MS, is an Associate Professor at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS University. Carole A. Palmer, EdD, RD, LDN, is a Professor at Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Andrews Rothman, MS, EIT, is a doctoral candidate at Harvard School of Public Health and Adjunct Faculty in Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS University.
This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Clinical Dental Hygiene Care: Assess the use of evidence-based treatment recommendations in dental hygiene practice.
- Copyright © 2016 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
