Abstract
Background: The caries process follows a strong social gradient which can commence in the first years of life. Yet data on young children remain limited. This study reports the potential risk factors and indicators in urban, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged less than 5 and estimates the prevalence of caries. Methods: Demographic and risk factor and risk indicator data were collected at baseline in a cohort study of children attending a health clinic in north Brisbane. Dentulous children received a basic oral examination to explore the presence of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft). Descriptive analyses were performed. A backwards stepwise logistic regression model was performed to identify potential associations with dmft status. Results: In this study, 180 children enrolled: 111 children received the oral examination, of whom 14 (12.6%) (mean age 35 months) were estimated to have dmft >0. There was a high prevalence of socio-economic, dietary and behavioural risk factors/indicators present for children. Due to the small sample size, planned regression was not performed. Conclusions: Overall, the prevalence of risk factors and risk indicators for caries in the study population is high. More culturally appropriate resources that support preventive care need to be invested before children are school aged.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 72-81 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Australian Dental Journal |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank the following for their support with study implementation and recruitment: Melissa Dunbar and Dan Arnold from QUT; Jacob Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Kim Bullivant, Gavan Bullivant, Megan Anderson, Lauren Doheny, Loretta Anderson and Melissa Bond from the Murri Health Group. Funding was provided through a Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute Project Grant, UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award, a Queensland University of Technology Indigenous Health Start-up Research Grant. KB is supported by a Supervisor Scholarship at Queensland University of Technology. KO was supported by a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (1045157) and Queensland Smart Futures Fellowship and is currently supported by the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Lung Health for Indigenous Children (1040830). KH was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Lung Health for Indigenous children (1040830). MT is supported part-time by the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Lung Health for Indigenous children (1040830). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the NHMRC.