Caries increment over 2 years in Hong Kong preschool children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dental caries increment of Hong Kong preschool children from age 3 to 5 years and the factors predicting the increment over the 2-year period. METHODS: A random sample of 465 Hong Kong preschool children aged 3 years was surveyed in 2007 and they were followed up when they reached 5 years of age. Dental caries status was assessed using the dmft score according to WHO criteria. Information on socio-demographic background, children's oral hygiene practices, dental visit experiences, feeding and snacking habits, and parents' dental knowledge and attitude was also collected. Negative binomial regression was performed to investigate the above factors collected at age 3 years that can predict the caries increment over the 2-year period.

RESULTS: Totally 358 subjects attended both examinations. The mean caries increment over 2 years was 0.85 (SD=1.65, range: 0-11). One third of them (33.0%) had at least one unit of increment. Results of negative binomial regression showed that subjects who used a nursing bottle during sleep (P=0.013), who started to brush their teeth after 12 months (P=0.005), who took snack once or more daily (P<0.001), and whose parents had 9 or fewer years of education attainment (P=0.002) had significantly higher caries increment.

CONCLUSION: Caries increment over 2 years of surveyed Hong Kong preschool children was low. Children's feeding, snaking and brushing habits, and parents' education were the significant predictors for caries increment of preschool children.

Supported by a grant from the University of Hong Kong (CRCG grant project no. 10400756).