scholarly journals Caregiver's Education Level and Child's Dental Caries in African Americans: A Path Analytic Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Heima ◽  
Wonik Lee ◽  
Peter Milgrom ◽  
Suchita Nelson

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of caregiver education level on children's dental caries mediated by both caregiver and child oral health behaviors. Participants were 423 low-income African American kindergarteners and their caregivers who were part of a school-based randomized clinical trial. Path analysis tested the hypothesis that caregiver education level affected untreated dental caries and cumulative overall caries experience (decayed or filled teeth) through the mediating influence of frequency of dental visits, use of routine care, and frequency of toothbrushing for both the caregiver and the child. The results supported the hypothesis: caregivers who completed high school were 1.76 times more likely to visit dentists compared with those who did not complete high school (e0.56 = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.03-2.99), which in turn was associated with 5.78 times greater odds of dental visits among their children (e1.76 = 5.78, 95% CI: 3.53-9.48). Children's dental visits, subsequently, were associated with 26% fewer untreated decayed teeth compared with children without dental visits (e-0.31 = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60-0.91). However, this path was not present in the model with overall caries experience. Additionally, caregiver education level was directly associated with 34% less untreated decayed teeth (e-0.42 = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.54-0.79) and 28% less decayed or filled teeth (e-0.32 = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60-0.88) among the children. This study overcomes important conceptual and analytic limitations in the existing literature. The findings confirm the role of caregiver education in child dental caries and indicate that caregiver's behavioral factors are important mediators of child oral health.

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (11) ◽  
pp. 1211-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Peres ◽  
X. Ju ◽  
M. Mittinty ◽  
A.J. Spencer ◽  
L.G. Do

The aim of this article was to quantify socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries experience among Australian children and to identify factors that explain area-level socioeconomic inequalities in children’s dental caries. We used data from the National Child Oral Health Survey conducted in Australia between 2012 and 2014 ( n = 24,664). Absolute and relative indices of socioeconomic inequalities in the dental caries experience in primary and permanent dentition (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces [dmfs] and DMFS, respectively) were estimated. In the first stage, we conducted multilevel negative binomial regressions to test the association between area-level Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) and dental caries experience (dmfs for 5- to 8-y-olds and DMFS for 9- to 14-y-olds) after adjustment for water fluoridation status, sociodemographics, oral health behaviors, pattern of dental visits, and sugar consumption. In the second stage, we performed Blinder-Oaxaca and Neumark decomposition analyses to identify factors that explain most of the area-level socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries. Children had a mean dmfs of 3.14 and a mean DMFS of 0.98 surfaces. Children living in the most disadvantaged and intermediately disadvantaged areas had 1.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.69–2.27) and 1.45 (1.26–1.68) times higher mean dmfs and 1.53 (1.36–1.72) and 1.43 (1.27–1.60) times higher mean DMFS than those living in the most advantaged areas, respectively. Water fluoridation status (33.6%), sugar consumption (22.1%), parental educational level (14.2%), and dental visit patterns (12.7%) were the main factors explaining area-level socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries in permanent dentition. Among all the factors considered, the factors that contributed most in explaining inequalities in primary dental caries were dental visits (30.3%), sugar consumption (20.7%), household income (20.0%), and water fluoridation status (15.9%). The inverse area-level socioeconomic inequality in dental caries was mainly explained by modifiable risk factors, such as lack of fluoridated water, high sugar consumption, and an unfavorable pattern of dental visits.


2020 ◽  
pp. 238008442093904
Author(s):  
D. Haag ◽  
H. Schuch ◽  
D. Ha ◽  
L. Do ◽  
L. Jamieson

Introduction: Our ability to address child oral health inequalities would be greatly facilitated by a more nuanced understanding of whether underlying disease experience or treatment opportunities account for a larger share of differences between social groups. This is particularly relevant in the context of population subgroups who are socially marginalized, such as Australia’s Indigenous population. The decayed, missing, and filled (dmf) surfaces index is at once a reflection of dental caries experience (d) and its management (m and f). Objectives: To 1) describe socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries experience and its management among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and 2) compare these inequalities using absolute and relative measures. Methods: Data were from the Australian National Child Oral Health Study 2012–2014. Absolute and relative income inequalities were assessed for overall dmfs and its individual components (ds, ms, fs) using adjusted means and health disparity indices (Slope Index of Inequality [SII] and Relative Index of Inequality [RII]). Results: Mean dmfs among Indigenous children aged 5 to 10 y was 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4–7.4), ranging from 2.3 in the highest to 9.1 in the lowest income group. Mean dmfs among non-Indigenous children was 2.9 (95% CI, 2.8–3.1), ranging from 1.9 in the highest to 4.2 in the lowest income group. Age- and gender-adjusted social gradients for Indigenous children were evident across all dmfs components but were particularly notable for ds (SII = −4.6, RII = −1.7) and fs (SII = −3.2, RII = −1.5). The social gradients for non-Indigenous children were much lower in magnitude: ds (SII = −1.8, RII = −1.6) and fs (SII = −0.7, RII = −0.5). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage may translate into both higher disease experience and increased use of dental services for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, with the social gradients being much more amplified among Indigenous children. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The findings of this study demonstrate the magnitude of disparities in dental caries among children by population groups in Australia. Our results suggest that the relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and poor oral health is more deleterious among Indigenous than non-Indigenous children. Tackling upstream determinants of health might not only affect population patterns of health and disease but also mitigate the overwhelming racial inequalities in oral health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Nilson ALVES DOS SANTOS ◽  
Cacilda Castelo Branco LIMA ◽  
Ananda Souza PEREIRA ◽  
Marina de Deus Moura LIMA ◽  
Lúcia de Fátima Almeida de Deus MOURA ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Sugar ingestion is the most important isolated factor related to dental caries. Contact with sugary foods at an early age may represent a risk to the oral health of preschool children. Objective To evaluate the timing of the introduction of sugar in the diet of preschoolers and its association with early childhood caries. Material and method Cross-sectional population-based study with 888 five-year-old preschoolers from public and private schools. Parents answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, eating habits and oral health. The variables timing of sugar introduction (>1 year and ≤1 year) and dental caries experience were dichotomized and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression (p<0.05). Result The introduction of sugar in the diet occurred during the first twelve months of life for 73.8% of preschoolers. There was no association between the timing of sugar introduction and early childhood caries (p>0.05). The interruption of exclusive breastfeeding and low family income increased the prevalence of preschoolers having early contact with sugar by 32% and 23%, respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence of early childhood caries was 42.3% and was associated with a lower level of maternal education, low income, increased frequency of ingestion of candy and the use of nonfluoridated toothpaste (p<0.05). Conclusion The introduction of sugar in the diet occurred during the first year of life in most preschoolers and there was no association with early childhood caries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 2177-2192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilky Pollansky Silva e Farias ◽  
Simone Alves de Sousa ◽  
Leopoldina de Fátima Dantas de Almeida ◽  
Bianca Marques Santiago ◽  
Antonio Carlos Pereira ◽  
...  

Abstract This systematic review compared the oral health status between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elders. The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs and Cochrane Library, in a comprehensive and unrestricted manner. Electronic searches retrieved 1687 articles, which were analyzed with regards to respective eligibility criteria. After reading titles and abstracts, five studies were included and analyzed with respect their methodological quality. Oral status of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly was compared through meta-analysis. Included articles involved a cross-sectional design, which investigated 1936 individuals aged 60 years and over, being 999 Institutionalized and 937 non-institutionalized elders. Studies have investigated the prevalence of edentulous individuals, the dental caries experience and the periodontal status. Meta-analysis revealed that institutionalized elderly have greater prevalence of edentulous (OR = 2.28, 95%CI = 1.68-3.07) and higher number of decayed teeth (MD = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.71-1.05) and missed teeth (MD = 4.58, 95%CI = 1.89-7.27). Poor periodontal status did not differ significantly between groups. Compared to non-institutionalized, institutionalized elders have worse dental caries experience.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
Qiping Yang ◽  
Yue Xi ◽  
Hanmei Liu ◽  
Jing Luo ◽  
Yufeng Ouyang ◽  
...  

This study aims to estimate the free sugars intake, identify the primary food sources of free sugars, and explore the relationship between free sugars intake and dental caries among Chinese adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 1517 middle-school students aged 12–14 years in Changsha city, China. Adolescents completed a 12-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and oral health assessment. The students’ dental caries experience was available as DMFT score (number of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth). Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression model. The average intake of free sugars was 53.1 g/d in adolescents, and 43.2% of the students consumed more than 50 g of free sugars daily. The primary contributor to free sugars was sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Age, boarders, and high family income were risk factors for excessive free sugars intake (p < 0.05), and increased free sugars intake was a risk factor for dental caries (odds ratio, OR = 1.446, 95% confidence interval: 1.138–1.839). Both the free sugars intake and dental caries prevalence in Chinese adolescents were high. Targeted interventions are urgently needed to address the excessive consumption of free sugars and improve Chinese adolescents’ oral health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1158-1163
Author(s):  
S. A. Hamza ◽  
S. Asif ◽  
S. A. H. Bokhari

Aim: Smoking induces changes in salivary inflammatory biomarker levels associated with oral diseases. This study status and explored association among salivary Interleukin-1β, oral diseases and smoking. Methods: Data of male smokers of a private institute recruited for a randomized clinical trial is analyzed for this paper. Demographic and systemic information were collected. Oral disease status was examined and saliva sample collected for IL-1β levels. IL-1β levels and other study variables were analyzed with respect to smoking status categorized into smoking years and cigarettes per day. The student's t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 22) with significance level of p≤0.050. Results: Analysis of baseline data of seventy-eight smokers showed elevated levels of IL-1β with increasing smoking, higher BMI. Smoking was higher among aged, married and low-income individuals. Pearson partial correlation analysis, after controlling age, marital status, education, income, and BMI, demonstrated a positive significant relationship of smoking per day with smoking years; dental caries with missing teeth and calculus; gingivitis with missing teeth and calculus; periodontitis with dental caries, calculus and gingivitis. Conclusion: This analysis demonstrates that levels of IL-1β were raised in smokers, however; there was no association with oral disease parameters. Large studies may be conducted to observe status and association of smoking, oral disease and salivary biomarkers. Keywords: Smoking, Oral Health, IL-1β, Males


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun-Mi Lee ◽  
Han-Na Kim ◽  
Jung-Ha Lee ◽  
Jin-Bom Kim

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikari Asakawa ◽  
Toru Takeshita ◽  
Michiko Furuta ◽  
Shinya Kageyama ◽  
Kenji Takeuchi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Tongue microbiota are a dominant source of oral microbial populations that are ingested with saliva, and therefore careful attention is required for the maintenance of health of elderly adults, who are susceptible to aspiration of oral contents. This study aimed to investigate the variation in tongue microbiota among community-dwelling elderly adults. Following a dental examination, tongue coating was collected from a 15-mm-diameter circular area at the center of the tongue dorsum of 506 elderly adults aged 70 to 80 years inhabiting the town of Hisayama, Japan. The microbial composition and density were determined by a 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach using a next-generation sequencer and quantitative PCR analysis, respectively. Co-occurrence network analysis identified two cohabiting groups of predominant commensals, one of which was primarily composed of Prevotella histicola, Veillonella atypica, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus parasanguinis; these organisms have been previously associated with an increased risk of mortality due to pneumonia in the frail elderly. This bacterial group was more predominant in the elderly with fewer teeth, a higher plaque index, and more dental caries experience, whereas the total bacterial density was independent of these traits. A higher density of fungi was also observed in the elderly with these traits, as well as in individuals who wore dentures. These results suggest that elderly adults with poorer oral health swallow a more dysbiotic microbiota formed on the tongue. IMPORTANCE Aspiration of oral contents can lead to pneumonia, which is a major cause of death among elderly adults susceptible to swallowing impairments. Tongue microbiota are a dominant source of oral microbial populations that are ingested with saliva. This large-scale population-based study revealed variations in the tongue microbiota among community-dwelling elderly adults. The total bacterial density was independent of the conditions of teeth surrounding the tongue, whereas the microbiota composition, especially the relative abundances of predominant commensals, showed an association with tooth conditions. Our results demonstrate that the elderly with fewer teeth, poorer dental hygiene, and more dental caries experience constantly ingest more dysbiotic microbiota, which could be harmful for their respiratory health.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document