Methods: Practitioner-members of Northwest PRECEDENT dental PBRN are conducting a longitudinal study on caries risk assessment. At baseline patients completed a questionnaire on oral care, snacking, health, and socio-demographics. A dental exam recorded readily visible heavy plaque and DMFT; a chart review captured new caries and treatments in the previous 24 months. Prevalence ratios were estimated to assess the association between oral hygiene behaviors and recent caries experience on data from 1213 patients in 54 practices using generalized estimating equations.
Results: At baseline, 34% of patients had at least one tooth with caries into dentin present in the past 24 months. Among all participants, 92% reported brushing their teeth at least once per day and at least occasional use of interproximal cleaning devices; 41% reported daily use; 16% reported use of fluoride products other than fluoride toothpaste three+ times/week; 18% had readily visible heavy plaque. Daily toothbrushing [Prevalence Ratio (PR)=0.98, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=0.76-1.31], daily use of interproximal cleaning devices (PR=1.33, 95%CI=0.94-1.88) and daily use of fluoride products other than fluoride toothpaste (PR=1.02, 95%CI=0.85-1.24) were not associated with recent caries. The presence of readily visible heavy plaque (PR=1.48, 95%CI=1.21-1.79) was associated with recent caries after adjusting for age, gender, between-meal carbohydrate snacking frequency, sweetened or acidic beverage consumption, dry mouth, per capita household income, education, and community water fluoridation.
Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that oral hygiene behaviors were not significantly associated with recent caries, whereas readily visible heavy plaque was associated with a higher caries rate. Supported by NIDCR grants DE016750 and DE016752.