Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries and Its Related Risk Factors in the United States Military Dependent Pediatric Population
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if military-related risk factors have any influence on the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and the decayed, missing, filled and treated (dmft) scores of military dependents receiving care in the U.S. Military Healthcare System at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC) Pediatric Clinic. Methods: Parents/guardians and their children between the ages 6 to 72 months were recruited after their visit to Pediatric Departments Outpatient Clinic at CRDAMC. Participants answered 17 questions on military and caries risk factors. In additional the child received a screening exam and dmft score. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Software. Mann-Whitney U-tests and binary logistic regression were conducted to test for differences between low and increased caries risk and the categorical risk factors. Association between categorical risk factors and dmft scores was assessed using Mann-Whitney U-tests for dichotomous variables and Kruskal-Wallis tests for independent variables. The association between continuous/interval risk factors and dmft scores was assessed using Spearman's rho correlation. Results: Data from 195 screenings and corresponding questionnaires showed significant increase in caries risk of the dependents if the military sponsor had a High School/GED education, the child was greater in age, first visit to the Dentist was later in life for the child, the child showed an increase in frequency of sweets consumption, the parents did not fully assist in tooth brushing, limited tooth brushing duration and lack of use of fluoride toothpaste. Dmft scores of the children showed a significant increase with regards to the number of PCS's during the child's lifetime (p<0.05), living in Fort Hood housing (p<0.05), frequency of parental aided tooth brushing (p<0.05), frequency of brushing per day (p<0.05), the length of time of brushing and the frequency of sweets intake (p<0.05).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 06, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1182649
Entities
People
- Lloyd A. Ancman
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences