Karieserfahrung bei Kleinkindern -Korrelation zu verschiedenen Ernährungs- und Prophylaxeparametern

Although general improvement in oral health in Germany is documented for a period of several years, there are opposite developments among preschool children in some regions. Therefore our study purposes to determine the preva-lence of early childhood caries (ECC) and identify risk factors referred to food pattern and different prophylaxis exposition among 3 to 4-year-old children. The study took place in kindergartens of two german regions (Waldeck-Franken-berg, Marburg-Biedenkopf). Altogether, 1532 participants were visually exam-ined for dental caries, also initial lesions were documented. The dmf-t/s index was used to assess the children’s dental health. Furthermore a questionnaire was handed out for parents, with which information about food pattern and pro-phylaxis exposition of each child was collected. Bivariate analysis and the multi-variate analysis (logistic regression analysis) were utilized for statistical evalua-tion. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The caries prevalence amounted to 17 %, whereas the prevalence of nursing bottle syndrome/ECC Type II added up to 3.1 %. The mean dmf-t value was 0.66. Furthermore a low restoration level of 18 % was detected. The bivariate analysis showed the fol-lowing behaviours to have a negative impact on dental health: (1) frequent noc-turnal breastfeeding in parental bed, (2) nocturnal drinking from the bottle, (3) nocturnal and prolonged drinking from a bottle filled with sweetened drinks, (4) frequent and prolonged drinking from a bottle during the day, (5) frequent con-sumption of sweetened drinks, and (6) frequent consump¬tion of snacks between principal meals. The following variables, however, exerted a positive influence on dental health: (1) breastfeeding, (2) intake of fluoride tablets, (3) daily intake of fluoride tablets, (4) early beginning of dental care, (5) parental aid during tooth brushing, and (6) frequent tooth brushing. Finally the regression analysis indicated that the following variables have a significant positive impact on dental health among 3 to 4-year-old-children: (1) daily intake of fluoride tablets, (2) be-ginning of dental care in the first year of life, (3) regular examination by a dentist and (4) fluoride applications by a dentist. The following habits were identified as significantly associated with bad dental health: (1) prolonged (> 8. month) drink-ing of sweetened drinks from bottle during night (p=0.001), (2) frequent daily consumption of sweetened drinks, and (3) daily consumption of at least 4 snacks.