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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Catherine Hayes¹, Carrie Tsai, BS¹, Janis E. Johnson, BA², Marilyn Haynes, BA³, Jalaima Graham, MPH⁴, and Amy Cha, BA⁴. (1) Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard University, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, 617-432-3507, carrie_tsai@hsdm.harvard.edu, (2) Health Policy & Health Services Research, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, 560 3rd FL, Room 346, Boston, MA 02118, (3) Pediatric Dentistry, Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive, OCC Bldg., Lower Level AB0024, Columbus, OH 43205, (4) Dentistry, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20010

Introduction: Early Childhood Caries (ECC)is a form of decay of the primary dentition that is distinguished by the specificity of tooth surfaces involved and the rapid progression of carious lesions. Objective: The objective of this investigation is to compare several sociodemographic variables between families of children with S-ECC and their caries free counterparts. Methods: Two groups of children ages 2-6 yrs were enrolled in a longitudinal study of the effects of ECC on growth in young children. Information was obtained on several sociodemographic variables including income, education, insurance status as well as race/ethnicity. Comparisons were made using the chi square analysis as well as multivariate regression to determine the independent effects of each variable on S-ECC risk. Results: A large proportion of children with S-ECC (47.6%) were from families with annual incomes <$15,000 compared to 36% of caries free children (p<0.001). Parent's education was also found to be significantly related to S-ECC risk with S-ECC children more likely to come from families where one or both parents had less than a high school education (p=0.002). The majority of children from both groups had Medicaid as their primary insurance with nearly twice as many children from the caries free group (18.2%) having private insurance as compared to S-ECC children (9.6%) (p=0.03). Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors are likely to be determinants of S-ECC and thus education interventions should be targeted toward families from these population subgroups. Supported by NIDCR U54DE014264.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the contribution of several sociodemographic factors to ECC risk.
• Identify the most significant sociodemographic predictors of ECC.
• Prioritize the sociodemographic risk factors for ECC.

Keywords: Early Childhood Caries, Health Disparities

Related Web page: www.creedd.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered