A previously reported six month study demonstrated a positive effect of health education and the distribution of tooth brushes and paste on the reported tooth brushing of 6-12 month old infants' teeth in Jerusalem. Based on these results, a two year longitudinal study was conducted and has now been completed among a group of infants aged 6 months to 2.5 years. Objectives: To assess the effect of an oral health program on clinical caries and ECC among young children and associations with other variables. Methods: The study population infants are attached to eight Mother and Child Health Centers in Jerusalem, which are generally representative of the socio-economic profile of the city. Among half of these children (the program group) tooth pastes and brushes were distributed (once every three months) - the other half (control group) received no organized intervention. At age 2.5 years, children's teeth were examined visually for caries, and parents were interviewed. Results: 596 children were examined at the end of the study (40% response rate). 27% of this population reported not brushing teeth and 77% drank from bottles, among these only 8% drank water. ECC prevalence was found to be 12% and total caries 15%, without differences between test and control groups. Caries was associated with brushing frequency and number of siblings. Nurses compliance with program implementation was unsatisfactory. Conclusions: This is the largest ECC study in Israel to date. Results did not reveal a significant outcome of the program, but the data are valuable for future community efforts. This study was supported by GABA Int. Ltd. Basel, Switzerland.

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