EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF 19-MONTH-OLD EDMONTON, ALBERTA CHILDREN - CARIES RATES AND RISK-FACTORS

A random sample of 938 19-month-old Edmonton children and their parent s/caretakers were studied. Parents were interviewed and children were examined. Specimens for a caries activity test were collected at the e xamination. Results indicated 25 percent of the children had moderate to high caries activity, as shown by the Cariostat, with 4.6 percent s howing decalcification lesions and frank caries. Early caries (BBTD) w ere found to be related to bottle feeding practices, discomfort with a llowing the child to cry, and with mother being foreign-born. Foreign- born status was associated with the above parenting practices. Prefere nces for preventive recommendations and other descriptive results were reported.