Natural history of dental caries in very young Australian children
Download
Date
2016-05-01Source Title
International Journal of Paediatric DentistryPublisher
WILEYAffiliation
Melbourne Dental SchoolMelbourne School of Population and Global Health
Metadata
Show full item recordDocument Type
Journal ArticleCitations
Gussy, M., Ashbolt, R., Carpenter, L., Virgo-Milton, M., Calache, H., Dashper, S., Leong, P., de Silva, A., de Livera, A., Simpson, J. & Waters, E. (2016). Natural history of dental caries in very young Australian children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, 26 (3), pp.173-183. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12169.Access Status
Open AccessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Whilst the global burden of caries is increasing, the trajectory of decay in young children and the point at which prevention should occur has not been well established. AIM: To identify the 'natural history' of dental caries in early childhood. DESIGN: A birth cohort study was established with 467 mother/child dyads followed at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 36 months of age. Parent-completed surveys captured demographic, social, and behavioural data, and oral examinations provided clinical and data. RESULTS: Eight per cent of children (95% confidence interval (CI): 5-12%) at 18 months and 23% (95% CI: 18-28%) at 36 months experienced decay. Interesting lesion behaviour was found between 18 and 36 months, with rapid development of new lesions on sound teeth (70% of teeth, 95% CI: 63-76%) and regression of many lesions from non-cavitated lesions to sound (23% of teeth, 95% CI: 17-30%). Significant associations were found between soft drink consumption and lesion progression. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest optimal time periods for screening and prevention of a disease which significantly impacts multiple health and well-being outcomes across the life course.