Factors affecting ECC Among WIC-Enrolled Children In Linn County

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among children enrolled in an Iowa Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Linn County, Iowa. Methods: Data were collected for 115 children enrolled in three WIC centers in Linn County, Iowa. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted concerning ECC (primary dependent variable) and greater than 50 CFUs of Salivary Mutans Streptococcus (SMS) (>50 CFUs - secondary dependent variable). Results: The final logistic regression model for factors associated with ECC found that children with the presence of visible plaque were 2.78 times more likely to have ECC (OR=3.78, 95%CI=1.41-10.16) and children were 0.13 times more likely to have ECC (OR=1.13, 95%CI=1.04-1.26) for each increase in month of age. The final logistic model concerning having >50 CFUs showed that the children with the presence of plaque on any maxillary incisor were 2.39 times as likely to have SMS >50 (OR=3.39, 95%CI=1.28- 8.96) and the children were 0.61 times as likely to have SMS >50 with an increase in the cariogenicity of sippy-cup contents by one level (OR=1.61, 95%CI=1.03- 2.50) Conclusions: The presence of visible plaque on maxillary incisors was associated with increased risk for the presence of ECC. The presence of visible plaque on any maxillary incisor and more cariogenicity of sippy-cup contents were associated with having >50 CFUs.