Factors affecting early childhood caries among WIC-enrolled children in Linn County, Iowa

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with early childhood caries (ECC) among children enrolled in 3 centers offering Iowa Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in Linn County, Iowa. Methods: Data pertaining to dental caries and its determinants were collected for 115 children. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted concerning outcome variables of ECC and having greater than 50 colony-forming units (CFUs) of salivary mutans streptococcus (>50 CFUs). Results: The final logistic regression model for factors associated with ECC found that children with presence of visible plaque were 2.78 times more likely to have ECC (odds ratio [OR]=3.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.41-10.16) and children were 0.13 times more likely to have ECC (OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.04-1.26) for each increase of one month in age. A final logistic model concerning greater than 50 CFUs showed that the children with presence of plaque on any maxillary incisor were 2.39 times more likely to have greater than 50 CFUs (OR=3.39, 95% CI=1.28-8.96) and the children were 0.61 times more likely to have greater than 50 CFUs with an increase in cariogenicity of sippy cup contents by 1 level (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.03-2.50). Conclusions: Presence of visible plaque on maxillary incisors was associated with increased risk for presence of early childhood caries. The presence of visible plaque on any maxillary incisor and more cariogenicity of sippy cup contents were associated with having more than 50 CFUs.