PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kierce, Erin A.
AU  - Boyd, Linda D.
AU  - Rainchuso, Lori
AU  - Palmer, Carole A.
AU  - Rothman, Andrews
TI  - Association between Early Childhood Caries, Feeding Practices and an Established Dental Home
DP  - 2016 Feb 01
TA  - American Dental Hygienists Association
PG  - 18--27
VI  - 90
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jdh.adha.org/content/90/1/18.short
4100  - http://jdh.adha.org/content/90/1/18.full
SO  - J Dent Hyg2016 Feb 01; 90
AB  - 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.