Prolonged effect of a mother–child caries preventive program on dental caries in the permanent 1st molars in 9 to 10-year-old children

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of caries in the permanent 1st molars of a group of 9 to 10-year-old children, and to determine the long-term effect of a mother–child preventive dental program (PDP) that started when the women were pregnant and continued until the children were 6 years of age. Material and methods. The permanent 1st molars of 37 children in the PDP group were evaluated for caries, both clinically and radiographically, and compared with those of a control group of 42 children who had not participated in the PDP. Results. Of children in the PDP group, 70% were caries-free compared to 33% in the control group (p<0.001). Of permanent 1st molars in the PDP group, 87% were caries-free compared to 61% in the control group (p<0.001). The mean DFS of the PDP children 10 years of age was 0.51±0.93 versus 1.57±1.38 for the control children (p=0.002). Conclusions. Examination of children 4 years after discontinuation of a caries preventive program reflected a long-term reduction in the DFS score of permanent 1st molars.