Caries risk indicators in preschool children : Maternal and family conditions in pregnancy and early childhood and dental caries development in preschool children

Abstract

Caries risk indicators in preschool children. Maternal and family conditions in pregnancy and early childhood and dental caries development in preschool children.<br><br>

Caries prevalence in preschool children in Norway has decreased during the last thirty years, and the distribution of the disease has become skewed with a smaller proportion having many lesions and a greater proportion having no lesions. Early identification of children at risk of developing caries is desirable so that preventive advice may be put in place before clinical caries become apparent. <br> The main purpose was to study factors contributing to early identification of children at risk of developing caries, and especially, structural characteristics of the family and maternal health and lifestyle during pregnancy and the child's early life, and caries development in preschool children.<br> The thesis is based on data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study and the Public Dental Services. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, following the children from before birth to 5 years of age, were conducted. Data were collected using questionnaires during the mother's pregnancy and the child's early years, and at the dental examination at 5 years of age. <br> More than 80% of the 5-year-old children had no dentine caries experience, and 10% of the children had five or more teeth with dentine caries experience. A social gradient in caries prevalence in 5-year-old children was found. The high-risk group was children of non-western origin with parents with short education. A change in family situation before five years of age increased the risk of caries development in children. Parental tooth-brushing habits and attitudes to tooth-brushing, missed dental appointments in children and maternal lifestyle during pregnancy and in early childhood were associated with caries development. <br> Characteristics of the family and maternal lifestyle during pregnancy and in early childhood can be used as caries risk indicators in preschool children, and may increase the possibility of targeting preventive care at those with the highest risk of dental caries.