Objective: Dental caries in early childhood is an important public health problem, but there is very limited data on caries prevalence, and particularly caries incidence, in this population. The purpose of this study was to report caries prevalence and 9- and 18-month incidence from a longitudinal study of high-risk children 6- to 47-months of age.

Methods: 212 children 6 to 24 months of age at baseline were recruited from WIC sites in southeastern Iowa for participation in an ongoing longitudinal study of dental caries. Dental examinations using d1d2-3 criteria were conducted at baseline, and 9 and 18 month follow-up assessments. Caries prevalence was determined at the frank decay level (d2-3 or filled surfaces), as well as at the non-cavitated level (d1), and combined (d1, d2-3 or f surfaces). Incidence was assessed in the same categories by noting the increase in number of surfaces affected between baseline and subsequent follow-up exams.

Results: Mean ages of children at the three examination were 12.8 months (n=212), 22.6 months (n=148) and 32.7 months (n=55). Frank (d2-3 or f) caries prevalence at these ages was 4%, 9%, and 20%, respectively. Prevalence of either non-cavitated (d1) or frank decay (d2-3 or f) was 11%, 32% and 78% at these ages, respectively. Of the 55 children with 20-month incidence data thus far, 11 (20%) had incident frank decay, and 42 (76%) had incident non-cavitated or frank decay. Mean increment of frank and non-cavitated or frank decay was 1.3 and 5.7 surfaces, respectively.

Conclusion: Results suggest that caries prevalence, particularly non-cavitated caries prevalence, increases dramatically in early childhood among high-risk children, with corresponding caries incidence.

Supported by NIDCR grant R21-DE015008

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