Recent Approaches in Prevention of Childhood Caries

Objectives: The etiology of dental caries reflects a complex interplay of biochemical, microbial, genetic, social and physical environmental, and health-influencing behaviors; and efforts at prevention have met with mixed results. This poster will present a review of recently published reports of biochemical, behavioral, and combination interventions for the prevention of dental caries in children, focusing on those that directly assessed caries outcomes.
Methods: The literature search was restricted to reports published between 2011 and 2015 and available in electronic databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, Ovid Med, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Cochrane and other reviews were the primary source of information for biochemical interventions; studies implemented at the individual, family, and community levels comprised the body of behavioral studies included.
Results: A total of 21 papers were included in this review. Reviews of biochemical modalities for caries prevention produced mixed results, although fluoride varnish, sealants, and silver diamine fluoride, more frequently than the others, resulted in a positive impact on caries. Behavioral interventions to reduce caries have been based on a variety of behavior change theories, most often social cognitive theories. Interventions combining biochemical approaches with these behavioral strategies to encourage positive oral health behaviors of parents on behalf of their children are among the most promising. Approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, which are designed to involve individuals in decisions about oral health within the context of their respective life circumstances, demonstrated the strongest results for reduction of caries experience.
Conclusions: In the absence of more highly effective population-based and/or environmental approaches to caries prevention, we will remain dependent on behavioral strategies to assure implementation and adherence to recommendations regarding the use of fluoride based products and sealants and other prevention strategies and services for prevention of caries.