Objectives
This questionnaire-based study aimed to assess parent-reported caries (PRC) at ages 2–5 years and identify potential influencing factors using an exploratory, repeated cross-sectional analysis within an ongoing birth-cohort study.
Methods
Parental factors included health, socioeconomic status, maternal age and dental check-up attendance. Child factors included birth mode and weight, antibiotic, probiotic, bottle use, early dentition, weaning age, oral hygiene, diet, body mass index (BMI) and mouth-breathing. Environmental factors included sibling caries, contact with other children, pets, or farms. Families (n = 1296) who completed the 2-year caries questionnaire were included, corresponding numbers were 1276 at 3 years, 993 at 4 years, and 768 at 5 years. A subgroup comprised children who had visited a dentist since their last birthday (n = 735, at 2 years, n = 951, 891 and 662 at 3, 4 and 5 years respectively).
Results
PRC rate was 0.4%, 1.3%, 2.7% and 4.4% for ages 2–5. Rates were 0.4%, 1.6%, 3.3% and 4.7% for the subgroup at the same ages. At Age 2, maternal migration background, lower paternal education and unemployment, late weaning, infrequent maternal dental check-ups and pet contact were associated with PRC. Except for paternal education, the same factors remained associated in the subgroup. At Age 3, single-parent status, maternal physical health, late weaning, sibling caries and pet contact were significantly associated with PRC. With the addition of infrequent maternal dental check-ups, the same factors remained associated in the subgroup. At Age 4, early dentition, mouth-breathing aged 1 were associated with PRC. Including late weaning, the same factors remained significantly associated in the subgroup. At Age 5, poor dietary and toothbrushing behaviour aged 2, younger mother, low BMI aged 1, infrequent maternal dental check-ups, pet contact, and pacifier hygiene were associated with PRC. Except dietary behaviour aged 2, with the addition of paternal employment, the same factors were significantly associated in the subgroup.
Conclusions
This study identifies key parental, child, and environmental risk factors for early childhood caries, revealing novel factors for further investigation and targeted prevention.