Background: Key predictors for dental caries include social background, diet and the use of fluoride toothpaste (Gibson & Williams, 1999). However, children from different ethnic backgrounds may exhibit different risk behaviours, with consequent implications for targeting health promotion.
Methods: Children attending for dental extraction (N=131) were recruited. Caries free controls (N=131) were then identified and matched according to gender, age, ethnic group and postcode district of residence. A dental examination was undertaken and at a subsequent home visit an interview was administered, including a retrospective history of oral health-related behaviours, in the appropriate language.
Results: Univariate analysis (Chi2 tests) for caries prevalence for the whole sample indicated significant differences for (a) drinking more than 1 fizzy (sweetened) drink per day (P<0.001), (b) ad libitum access to sweets (P<0.001), (c) no structured mealtimes (P<0.01), (d) age toothbrushing started (P<0.05) & (e) child comes from a 1 parent family (P<0.01). With caries prevalence as the dependent variable, logistic regression revealed the most significant independent variables as: - (1) SA children - ad libitum access to sweets (P<0.01), grazing (P<0.01), plaque deposits (P<0.01), >1 fizzy drink per day (P<0.05) & (2) W children – ad libitum access to sweets (P<0.01), one parent family (P<0.01), not taking vitamins regularly (P<0.01), >1 fizzy drink per day (P<0.05).
Conclusion: While dietary predictors predominated, there were variations between the groups which have implications for targeting health promotion and for quality of advice.
Funded by Bradford Health Authority