Caries-preventive effect of an oral health program for preschool children in a low socio-economic, multicultural area in Sweden: results after one year

The Impact of Dental Care Programs on Individuals and Their Families: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Despite significant global improvements in oral health, inequities persist. Targeted dental care programs are perceived as a viable approach to both improving oral health and to address inequities. However, the impacts of dental care programs on individual and family oral health outcomes remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this scoping review is to map the evidence on impacts of existing dental programs, specifically on individual and family level outcomes.

METHODS

We systematically searched four scientific databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts for studies published in the English language between December 1999 and November 2021. Search terms were kept broad to capture a range of programs. Four reviewers (AG, VD, AE, and KKP) independently screened the abstracts and reviewed full-text articles and extracted the data. Cohen's kappa inter-rater reliability score was 0.875, indicating excellent agreement between the reviewers. Data were summarized according to the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

The search yielded 65,887 studies, of which 76 were included in the data synthesis. All but one study assessed various individual-level outcomes (n = 75) and only five investigated family outcomes. The most common program interventions are diagnostic and preventive (n = 35, 46%) care, targeted children (n = 42, 55%), and delivered in school-based settings (n = 28, 37%). The majority of studies (n = 43, 57%) reported a significant improvement in one or more of their reported outcomes; the most assessed outcome was change in dental decay (n = 35).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental care programs demonstrated effectiveness in addressing individual oral health outcomes. However, evidence to show the impact on family-related outcomes remains limited and requires attention in future research.

Caries Experience and Increment in Children Attending Kindergartens with an Early Childhood Caries Preventive Program Compared to Basic Prophylaxis Measures-A Retrospective Cohort Study

Dental caries constitutes a public health challenge. As preventive strategies are desirable, this retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the caries experience and increment in children attending kindergartens with an early childhood caries (ECC) preventive program (intervention group, IG) compared to basic prophylaxis measures (control group, CG) located in areas of different socioeconomic status (SES) within Marburg (Germany). The long-term caries experience (2009−2019) of these 3−5-year-old kindergarten children was evaluated. For the caries increment, dental records of 2019 were screened for the availability of a minimum of two dental examinations at least 8 months apart. Caries was scored according to the WHO criteria (dmf−t). The data were split by observation period (300−550 and >550 days). Overall, 135 children (Ø 3.7 years) attended IG, and 132 children (Ø 3.6 years) attended CG. After 300−550 days, no significant differences were found between both groups regarding mean caries increment and experience (p > 0.05). After >550 days, IG with low SES exhibited a high caries experience. Fluoride varnish applications could not reduce the caries increment compared to CG in the short-term but slightly decreased the long-term caries experience. Comprehensive ECC prevention measures actively involving parents are needed to overcome the caries burden.

Protocol for a family-centered behavioral intervention to reduce early childhood caries: the MySmileBuddy program efficacy trial

BACKGROUND

Although largely preventable through diet management and topical fluoride use, early childhood caries (ECC) often progresses to severity that necessitates surgical repair. Yet repair often fails to mitigate caries progression. Needed is an effective behavioral intervention to address underlying behavioral causes.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a behaviorally focused, family-centered intervention, the MySmileBuddy Program (MSB Program), to reduce ECC progression in high-risk preschoolers in New York City. Recruitment will target 858 children ages 24-71 months with ECC and their parents from primary care medical and dental clinics. The study aims to assess the MSB Program's efficacy to: (1) decrease ECC progression measured 12-months post-randomization; and (2) enhance adoption of a low cariogenic diet and twice-daily fluoridated toothpaste use compared to control group. Potential causal pathways (mediators and moderators) will be explored. The MSB Program equips community health workers (CHWs) with an app that facilitates multilevel risk assessment and provides motivational interviewing-based counseling to inform parents about the caries process, develop personalized goals, and create family-level action plans to achieve targeted behaviors. Social support from CHWs (4 interactions during the 6-month intervention, supplemented by up to 4 in-person/remote contacts throughout the 12-month study period, based on need) is bolstered by automated text messages. Participants will be randomized to a Control Group (paper-based educational handout plus toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste for the child) or Intervention Group (MSB Program, two tooth-brushing observations with feedback and instruction, and toothbrushes and toothpaste for the entire family). All children will receive visual ICDAS dental examinations and parents will complete study measures at baseline and 12-months. An incentive up to $150 plus round-trip transit cards ($5.50 value) will be provided.

DISCUSSION

This study hypothesizes that the MSB Program can reduce ECC progression in a high-risk population. Sufficient incentives and a focus on establishing rapport between participants and CHWs are anticipated to mitigate recruitment and retention challenges. If successful, this study will advance the long-term goal of reducing pediatric oral health disparities by demonstrating the efficacy of an acceptable and feasible intervention that shifts attention from dental repair to behavioral risk mitigation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration was completed on 4/13/2021 through the U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov website (Identifier: NCT04845594).

Home-based toothbrushing interventions for parents of young children to reduce dental caries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is the most prevalent preventable condition in children. A key preventive home-based oral health behaviour is the adoption and maintenance of parental supervised toothbrushing until 8 years of age.

AIM

To examine interventions promoting parental supervised toothbrushing practices to reduce dental caries in young children (<8 years old).

DESIGN

Interventions promoting parental involvement in home-based toothbrushing in children under 8 years old and their impact on caries were subjected to review. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library), references, and unpublished literature databases were searched for relevant literature.

RESULTS

Of the 10 176 articles retrieved, forty-two articles were included. The Theoretical Domains Framework was used to code intervention content, with the main domains addressed being knowledge (41/42), skills (35/42), and environmental context and resources (22/42). Sufficient descriptions of the intervention development, delivery, and evaluation were lacking, with only 18 studies being underpinned by theory. Twenty-nine studies explored the impact on caries yielding mixed results.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few interventions targeting home-based oral health behaviours underpinned by theory and methodological rigour in their development and evaluation. This demonstrates a clear need for future interventions to be guided by complex intervention methodology.

Impact of an extended postnatal home visiting programme on oral health among children in a disadvantaged area of Stockholm, Sweden

AIM

To evaluate oral health outcomes and early oral health promotion of children in a Swedish, parental support programme conducted in a collaboration between Child Health Services and Social Services.

METHODS

The intervention offered first-time parents six home visits from a paediatric nurse and a parental advisor with Social Services. On the fourth visit (infant age 6-8 months), parents received a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste from non-dental staff. Twice, at child ages 18 and 36 months, a dentist used the International Caries Detection and Assessment System to record caries and conducted a structured interview with the parents on oral health habits. The intervention group (n = 72) was compared to a reference group (n = 100) from the standard child healthcare programme, which included one home visit.

RESULTS

Significantly, caries prevalence was lower and tooth brushing habits more consistent in the intervention group compared to the reference group in the standard child health programme. The difference was most pronounced at 18 months and had decreased at the 36-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The extended postnatal home visiting programme had a positive impact on oral health. Early oral health promotion delivered by non-dental professionals could be a beneficial approach to early caries prevention.

Avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal de crianças e suas famílias e fatores associados

Resumo Introdução O desenvolvimento do complexo craniofacial resulta da interação de fatores genéticos e ambientais. Dentre as ocorrências que podem afetar esse desenvolvimento, estão as odontológicas. A cárie dentária e a má oclusão são de etiologia multifatorial e atingem grande parte da população, podendo impactar a qualidade de vida. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto de fatores clínicos, funcionais e sociais na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal de crianças e suas famílias. Material e método A amostra consistiu de 753 crianças matriculadas nas escolas públicas da cidade de Araraquara-SP. Foram realizados exames bucais para avaliar a ocorrência cárie dentária (ceo-d e CPO-D) e a má oclusão (Foster, Hamilton) e aplicado um questionário socioeconômico aos pais, além do questionário para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal (ECOHIS). Os dados foram avaliados por meio de análise bivariada e, em seguida, pelo modelo de regressão logística múltipla, considerando o nível de significância de 5%. Resultado A condição social, além das variáveis clínicas de cárie dentaria e trauma dental, apresentou associação com o impacto negativo na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal nas três sessões do questionário: criança, pais e geral, respectivamente. Conclusão A experiência da cárie dentária, o nível socioeconômico e o trauma dental foram variáveis preditoras para o impacto negativo na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal de crianças e suas famílias. Os hábitos estão mais relacionados ao índice ceo-d e ao nível socioeconômico do que com a má oclusão.

Environmental interventions to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and their effects on health

BACKGROUND

Frequent consumption of excess amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is a risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dental caries. Environmental interventions, i.e. interventions that alter the physical or social environment in which individuals make beverage choices, have been advocated as a means to reduce the consumption of SSB.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of environmental interventions (excluding taxation) on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sugar-sweetened milk, diet-related anthropometric measures and health outcomes, and on any reported unintended consequences or adverse outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched 11 general, specialist and regional databases from inception to 24 January 2018. We also searched trial registers, reference lists and citations, scanned websites of relevant organisations, and contacted study authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies on interventions implemented at an environmental level, reporting effects on direct or indirect measures of SSB intake, diet-related anthropometric measures and health outcomes, or any reported adverse outcome. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs), controlled before-after (CBA) and interrupted-time-series (ITS) studies, implemented in real-world settings with a combined length of intervention and follow-up of at least 12 weeks and at least 20 individuals in each of the intervention and control groups. We excluded studies in which participants were administered SSB as part of clinical trials, and multicomponent interventions which did not report SSB-specific outcome data. We excluded studies on the taxation of SSB, as these are the subject of a separate Cochrane Review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the risks of bias of included studies. We classified interventions according to the NOURISHING framework, and synthesised results narratively and conducted meta-analyses for two outcomes relating to two intervention types. We assessed our confidence in the certainty of effect estimates with the GRADE framework as very low, low, moderate or high, and presented 'Summary of findings' tables.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 14,488 unique records, and assessed 1030 in full text for eligibility. We found 58 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, including 22 RCTs, 3 NRCTs, 14 CBA studies, and 19 ITS studies, with a total of 1,180,096 participants. The median length of follow-up was 10 months. The studies included children, teenagers and adults, and were implemented in a variety of settings, including schools, retailing and food service establishments. We judged most studies to be at high or unclear risk of bias in at least one domain, and most studies used non-randomised designs. The studies examine a broad range of interventions, and we present results for these separately.Labelling interventions (8 studies): We found moderate-certainty evidence that traffic-light labelling is associated with decreasing sales of SSBs, and low-certainty evidence that nutritional rating score labelling is associated with decreasing sales of SSBs. For menu-board calorie labelling reported effects on SSB sales varied.Nutrition standards in public institutions (16 studies): We found low-certainty evidence that reduced availability of SSBs in schools is associated with decreased SSB consumption. We found very low-certainty evidence that improved availability of drinking water in schools and school fruit programmes are associated with decreased SSB consumption. Reported associations between improved availability of drinking water in schools and student body weight varied.Economic tools (7 studies): We found moderate-certainty evidence that price increases on SSBs are associated with decreasing SSB sales. For price discounts on low-calorie beverages reported effects on SSB sales varied.Whole food supply interventions (3 studies): Reported associations between voluntary industry initiatives to improve the whole food supply and SSB sales varied.Retail and food service interventions (7 studies): We found low-certainty evidence that healthier default beverages in children's menus in chain restaurants are associated with decreasing SSB sales, and moderate-certainty evidence that in-store promotion of healthier beverages in supermarkets is associated with decreasing SSB sales. We found very low-certainty evidence that urban planning restrictions on new fast-food restaurants and restrictions on the number of stores selling SSBs in remote communities are associated with decreasing SSB sales. Reported associations between promotion of healthier beverages in vending machines and SSB intake or sales varied.Intersectoral approaches (8 studies): We found moderate-certainty evidence that government food benefit programmes with restrictions on purchasing SSBs are associated with decreased SSB intake. For unrestricted food benefit programmes reported effects varied. We found moderate-certainty evidence that multicomponent community campaigns focused on SSBs are associated with decreasing SSB sales. Reported associations between trade and investment liberalisation and SSB sales varied.Home-based interventions (7 studies): We found moderate-certainty evidence that improved availability of low-calorie beverages in the home environment is associated with decreased SSB intake, and high-certainty evidence that it is associated with decreased body weight among adolescents with overweight or obesity and a high baseline consumption of SSBs.Adverse outcomes reported by studies, which may occur in some circumstances, included negative effects on revenue, compensatory SSB consumption outside school when the availability of SSBs in schools is reduced, reduced milk intake, stakeholder discontent, and increased total energy content of grocery purchases with price discounts on low-calorie beverages, among others. The certainty of evidence on adverse outcomes was low to very low for most outcomes.We analysed interventions targeting sugar-sweetened milk separately, and found low- to moderate-certainty evidence that emoticon labelling and small prizes for the selection of healthier beverages in elementary school cafeterias are associated with decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened milk. We found low-certainty evidence that improved placement of plain milk in school cafeterias is not associated with decreasing sugar-sweetened milk consumption.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence included in this review indicates that effective, scalable interventions addressing SSB consumption at a population level exist. Implementation should be accompanied by high-quality evaluations using appropriate study designs, with a particular focus on the long-term effects of approaches suitable for large-scale implementation.

A systematic review of strategies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among 0-year to 5-year olds

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to summarize evidence for strategies designed to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among children aged 0 to 5 years.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, Cab Abstracts and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials are the electronic databases searched in this systematic review.

STUDY SELECTION

Each included study evaluated an intervention to reduce SSB consumption in children aged 0 to 5 years, was conducted in a high-income country and was published between 1 January 2000 and 15 December 2017.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The primary intervention settings were healthcare (n = 11), preschool/daycare (n = 4), home (n = 3), community venues (n = 3) and other settings (n = 6). Overarching strategies which successfully reduced SSB consumption included (i) in-person individual education, (ii) in-person group education, (iii) passive education (e.g. pamphlets), (iv) use of technology, (v) training for childcare/healthcare providers and (vi) changes to the physical access of beverages. Studies were of moderate methodological quality (average score of 20.7/29.0 for randomized studies; 3.1/9.0 for non-randomized studies).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests that interventions successful at reducing SSB consumption among 0-year to 5-year olds often focused on vulnerable populations, were conducted in preschool/daycare settings, specifically targeted only SSBs or only oral hygiene, included multiple intervention strategies and had higher intervention intensity/contact time.

The impact of anticipatory guidance on early childhood caries: a quasi-experimental study

Background

This study evaluated the impact of anticipatory guidance on the caries incidence of 2–3-year-old preschool children and their 4–6-year-old siblings, as well as on their mothers’ oral health literacy, as compared to the conventional Ministry of Health (MOH) programme.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted at two government dental clinics in Batu Pahat District, Malaysia. The samples comprised of 478 mother-child-sibling trios (233 families in the intervention group, and 245 families in the control group). An oral health package named the Family Dental Wellness Programme (FDWP) was designed to provide dental examinations and oral health education through anticipatory guidance technique to the intervention group at six-month intervals over 3 years. The control group received the standard MOH oral health education activities. The impact of FDWP on net caries increment, caries prevented fraction, and mother’s oral health literacy was assessed after 3 years of intervention.

Results

Children and siblings in the intervention group had a significantly lower net caries increment (0.24 ± SD0.8; 0.20 ± SD0.7) compared to the control group (0.75 ± SD1.2; 0.55 ± SD0.9). The caries prevented fraction for FDWP was 68% for the younger siblings and 63.6% for the older children. The 2–3-year-old children in the intervention group had a significantly lower incidence of white spot lesions than their counterpart (12% vs 25%, p < 0.05). At three-year follow-up, there were significant increments in the oral health literacy scores of mothers in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The FDWP is more effective than the standard MOH programme in terms of children’s and siblings’ caries incidence and mother’s oral health literacy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03478748. Registered on March 26th 2018. Retrospectively registered.

Impact of biannual treatment with fluoride varnish on tooth-surface-level caries progression in children aged 1-3 years

OBJECTIVE

This study describes caries progression at tooth-surface level in children from 1 to 3 years of age and the impact of biannual treatment with fluoride varnish.

METHODS

Children who participated in a cluster-randomized controlled trial and had shown signs of dental caries were included in this study (n=801). International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to classify dental caries. The present study compared children receiving a standard yearly intervention to children receiving the same standard preventive intervention supplemented with an application of fluoride varnish every half year.

RESULTS

The maxillary incisors were the first teeth to develop cavitation (ICDAS 3-6) and also mostly affected. Further analyses focusing on maxillary incisors buccal surfaces showed that sound surfaces had least progression and that progression to extensive decay was more common in teeth that had exhibited moderate decay. A summarizing progression index (PI) was calculated for the buccal surfaces of the maxillary incisors. Between 1 and 2 years of age PI was 26% and between 2 and 3 years of age PI was 21%. The progression on buccal incisors and on occlusal first primary molars did not differ between intervention groups (p≤0,05).

CONCLUSION

No impact on caries progression for biannual treatment with fluoride varnish was found.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Using fluoride varnish as a complement to standard intervention in toddlers did not add in the prevention of dental caries or its progression. The education of parents in the use fluoride toothpaste as they start brushing the teeth of their children is essential.

Clinical efficacy of a two-year oral health programme for infants and toddlers in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries, which is prevalent in Singapore preschoolers, is a disease that has a major impact on children's health and places a high cost on the society and health services. Oral health programmes for young children implemented in some parts of the world have been shown to be effective in the prevention of dental caries. We aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of a two-year oral health programme for infants and toddlers in Singapore.

METHODS

90 children and their caregivers participated in the programme, and 64 children, who were 24 months older than the intervention group at the initial visit, were recruited as controls in a quasi-experimental study design. We evaluated the presence of severe early childhood caries (SECC) and d₃mfs in the control group at the initial visit and in the intervention group after the completion of the two-year programme.

RESULTS

Some children in the intervention (7.8%) and control (31.3%) groups (p < 0.001) had SECC (difference 23.5%, 95% confidence interval 11%-36%). A higher percentage of children in the intervention group had d₃mfs = 0 and habits associated with low risk for caries. The odds of SECC in the control group were three times higher than that for the intervention group, and the effect was significant (p = 0.037) after adjustment for other significant risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The preventive oral health programme in Singapore was successful in reducing SECC among infants and toddlers when targeted behaviour modifications were implemented.

WITHDRAWN: Community-based population-level interventions for promoting child oral health

BACKGROUND

Dental caries and gingival and periodontal disease are commonly occurring, preventable chronic conditions. Even though much is known about how to treat oral disease, currently we do not know which community-based population-level interventions are most effective and equitable in preventing poor oral health.

OBJECTIVES

Primary • To determine the effectiveness of community-based population-level oral health promotion interventions in preventing dental caries and gingival and periodontal disease among children from birth to 18 years of age. Secondary • To determine the most effective types of interventions (environmental, social, community and multi-component) and guiding theoretical frameworks.• To identify interventions that reduce inequality in oral health outcomes.• To examine the influence of context in the design, delivery and outcomes of interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases from January 1996 to April 2014: MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), BIOSIS Previews, Web of Science, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), ScienceDirect, Sociological Abstracts, Social Science Citation Index, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Included studies were individual- and cluster-randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled before-and-after studies and quasi-experimental and interrupted time series. To be included, interventions had to target the primary outcomes: dental caries (measured as decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth/surfaces, dmft/s; Decayed, Missing and Filled permanent teeth/surfaces, DMFT/S) and gingival or periodontal disease among children from birth to 18 years of age. Studies had to report on one or more of the primary outcomes at baseline and post intervention, or had to provide change scores for both intervention and control groups. Interventions were excluded if they were solely of a chemical nature (e.g. chlorhexidine, fluoride varnish), were delivered primarily in a dental clinical setting or comprised solely fluoridation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed screening, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias of included studies (a team of six review authors - four review authors and two research assistants - assessed all studies). We calculated mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for continuous data. When data permitted, we undertook meta-analysis of primary outcome measures using a fixed-effect model to summarise results across studies. We used the I2 statistic as a measure of statistical heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

This review includes findings from 38 studies (total n = 119,789 children, including one national study of 99,071 children, which contributed 80% of total participants) on community-based oral health promotion interventions delivered in a variety of settings and incorporating a range of health promotion strategies (e.g. policy, educational activities, professional oral health care, supervised toothbrushing programmes, motivational interviewing). We categorised interventions as dietary interventions (n = 3), oral health education (OHE) alone (n = 17), OHE in combination with supervised toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste (n = 8) and OHE in combination with a variety of other interventions (including professional preventive oral health care, n = 10). Interventions generally were implemented for less than one year (n = 26), and only 11 studies were RCTs. We graded the evidence as having moderate to very low quality.We conducted meta-analyses examining impact on dental caries of each intervention type, although not all studies provided sufficient data to allow pooling of effects across similar interventions. Meta-analyses of the effects of OHE alone on caries may show little or no effect on DMFT (two studies, mean difference (MD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.11 to 0.36, low-quality evidence), dmft (three studies, MD -0.3, 95% CI -1.11 to 0.52, low-quality evidence) and DMFS (one study, MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.22, very low-quality evidence). Analysis of studies testing OHE in combination with supervised toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste may show a beneficial effect on dmfs (three studies, MD -1.59, 95% CI -2.67 to -0.52, low-quality evidence) and dmft (two studies, MD -0.97, 95% CI -1.06 to -0.89, low-quality evidence) but may show little effect on DMFS (two studies, MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.10, low-quality evidence) and DMFT (three studies, MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.07, moderate-quality evidence). Meta-analyses of two studies of OHE in an educational setting combined with professional preventive oral care in a dental clinic setting probably show a very small effect on DMFT (-0.09 weighted mean difference (WMD), 95% CI -0.1 to -0.08, moderate-quality evidence). Data were inadequate for meta-analyses on gingival health, although positive impact was reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review provides evidence of low certainty suggesting that community-based oral health promotion interventions that combine oral health education with supervised toothbrushing or professional preventive oral care can reduce dental caries in children. Other interventions, such as those that aim to promote access to fluoride, improve children's diets or provide oral health education alone, show only limited impact. We found no clear indication of when is the most effective time to intervene during childhood. Cost-effectiveness, long-term sustainability and equity of impacts and adverse outcomes were not widely reported by study authors, limiting our ability to make inferences on these aspects. More rigorous measurement and reporting of study results would improve the quality of the evidence.

Community-based population-level interventions for promoting child oral health

BACKGROUND

Dental caries and gingival and periodontal disease are commonly occurring, preventable chronic conditions. Even though much is known about how to treat oral disease, currently we do not know which community-based population-level interventions are most effective and equitable in preventing poor oral health.

OBJECTIVES

Primary • To determine the effectiveness of community-based population-level oral health promotion interventions in preventing dental caries and gingival and periodontal disease among children from birth to 18 years of age. Secondary • To determine the most effective types of interventions (environmental, social, community and multi-component) and guiding theoretical frameworks.• To identify interventions that reduce inequality in oral health outcomes.• To examine the influence of context in the design, delivery and outcomes of interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases from January 1996 to April 2014: MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), BIOSIS Previews, Web of Science, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), ScienceDirect, Sociological Abstracts, Social Science Citation Index, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Included studies were individual- and cluster-randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled before-and-after studies and quasi-experimental and interrupted time series. To be included, interventions had to target the primary outcomes: dental caries (measured as decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth/surfaces, dmft/s; Decayed, Missing and Filled permanent teeth/surfaces, DMFT/S) and gingival or periodontal disease among children from birth to 18 years of age. Studies had to report on one or more of the primary outcomes at baseline and post intervention, or had to provide change scores for both intervention and control groups. Interventions were excluded if they were solely of a chemical nature (e.g. chlorhexidine, fluoride varnish), were delivered primarily in a dental clinical setting or comprised solely fluoridation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed screening, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias of included studies (a team of six review authors - four review authors and two research assistants - assessed all studies). We calculated mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for continuous data. When data permitted, we undertook meta-analysis of primary outcome measures using a fixed-effect model to summarise results across studies. We used the I2 statistic as a measure of statistical heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

This review includes findings from 38 studies (total n = 119,789 children, including one national study of 99,071 children, which contributed 80% of total participants) on community-based oral health promotion interventions delivered in a variety of settings and incorporating a range of health promotion strategies (e.g. policy, educational activities, professional oral health care, supervised toothbrushing programmes, motivational interviewing). We categorised interventions as dietary interventions (n = 3), oral health education (OHE) alone (n = 17), OHE in combination with supervised toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste (n = 8) and OHE in combination with a variety of other interventions (including professional preventive oral health care, n = 10). Interventions generally were implemented for less than one year (n = 26), and only 11 studies were RCTs. We graded the evidence as having moderate to very low quality.We conducted meta-analyses examining impact on dental caries of each intervention type, although not all studies provided sufficient data to allow pooling of effects across similar interventions. Meta-analyses of the effects of OHE alone on caries may show little or no effect on DMFT (two studies, mean difference (MD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.11 to 0.36, low-quality evidence), dmft (three studies, MD -0.3, 95% CI -1.11 to 0.52, low-quality evidence) and DMFS (one study, MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.22, very low-quality evidence). Analysis of studies testing OHE in combination with supervised toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste may show a beneficial effect on dmfs (three studies, MD -1.59, 95% CI -2.67 to -0.52, low-quality evidence) and dmft (two studies, MD -0.97, 95% CI -1.06 to -0.89, low-quality evidence) but may show little effect on DMFS (two studies, MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.10, low-quality evidence) and DMFT (three studies, MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.07, moderate-quality evidence). Meta-analyses of two studies of OHE in an educational setting combined with professional preventive oral care in a dental clinic setting probably show a very small effect on DMFT (-0.09 weighted mean difference (WMD), 95% CI -0.1 to -0.08, moderate-quality evidence). Data were inadequate for meta-analyses on gingival health, although positive impact was reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review provides evidence of low certainty suggesting that community-based oral health promotion interventions that combine oral health education with supervised toothbrushing or professional preventive oral care can reduce dental caries in children. Other interventions, such as those that aim to promote access to fluoride, improve children's diets or provide oral health education alone, show only limited impact. We found no clear indication of when is the most effective time to intervene during childhood. Cost-effectiveness, long-term sustainability and equity of impacts and adverse outcomes were not widely reported by study authors, limiting our ability to make inferences on these aspects. More rigorous measurement and reporting of study results would improve the quality of the evidence.

Effectiveness of Early Preventive Intervention with Semiannual Fluoride Varnish Application in Toddlers Living in High-Risk Areas: A Stratified Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluated whether toddlers in an extended preventive program of semiannual fluoride varnish applications from 1 year of age had a lower incidence of caries than those undergoing a standard program. A cohort of 1-year-old children (n = 3,403) living in multicultural areas of low socioeconomic standing in Stockholm participated in a cluster-randomized controlled field trial with two parallel arms. The children attended 23 dental clinics. Using the ICDAS II criteria, the examiners recorded caries at baseline and after 1 and 2 years. The children in the reference group received a standardized oral health program once yearly between 1 and 3 years of age. The children in the test group received the same standard program supplemented with topical applications of fluoride varnish every 6 months. We compared the test group and the reference group for the prevalence and increment of caries. At baseline, 5% of the children had already developed caries (ICDAS II 1-6). We reexamined the children after 1 year (n = 2,675) and after 2 years (n = 2,536). Neither prevalence nor caries increment differed between the groups. At 3 years of age, 12% of the children had developed moderate and severe carious lesions (ICDAS II 3-6), with a mean increment of 0.5 (SD 2.4) in the test group and 0.6 (SD 2.2) in the reference group. In conclusion, semiannual professional applications of fluoride varnish, as a supplement to a standard oral health program, failed to reduce caries development in toddlers from high-risk communities.

Effect of probiotic chewing tablets on early childhood caries--a randomized controlled trial

Background

To evaluate the effect of probiotic chewing tablets on early childhood caries development in preschool children living in a low socioeconomic multicultural area.

Methods

The investigation employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design. The study group consisted of 138 healthy 2-3-year-old children that were consecutively recruited after informed parental consent. After enrollment, they were randomized to a test or a placebo group. The parents of the test group were instructed to give their child one chewing tablet per day containing three strains of live probiotic bacteria (ProBiora3®) and the placebo group got identical tablets without bacteria. The duration was one year and the prevalence and increment of initial and manifest caries lesions was examined at baseline and follow-up. All parents were thoroughly instructed to brush the teeth of their off-springs twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

Results

The groups were balanced at baseline and the attrition rate was 20 %. Around 2/3 of the children in both groups reported an acceptable compliance. The caries increment (Δds) was significantly lower in the test group when compared with the placebo group, 0.2 vs. 0.8 (p < 0.05). The risk reduction was 0.47 (95 % CI 0.24–0.98) and the number needed to treat close to five. No differences were displayed between the groups concerning presence of visible plaque or bleeding-on-brushing. No side effects were reported.

Conclusions

The results suggested that early childhood caries development could be reduced through administration of these probiotic chewing tablets as adjunct to daily use of fluoride toothpaste in preschool children. Further studies on a possible dose–response relationship seem justified

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01720771. First received: October 31, 2012.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12903-015-0096-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effectiveness of oral health education in children - a systematic review of current evidence (2005-2011)

BACKGROUND

So that resources and manpower are allocated in a way of most benefit to the population, systematic review of available evidence on the effectiveness of programmes and interventions is required.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the quality of evidence presented in studies carried out to investigate the effectiveness of oral health education in children.

METHODS

The MEDLINE (PubMed) bibliographic database was searched for English-language articles published from 2005 to 2011. Fifty-five articles were identified by the literature search, and the relevance of each article was determined by examining the title and the abstract. Sixteen original research studies met the inclusion criteria. These articles were read in full and scored independently by two reviewers, with scoring based on predetermined criteria. Articles scoring less than 10 were excluded from the study. For each paper that achieved a validity score of more than 10 (n = 11), data concerning the objectives of the intervention, the types and numbers of participants and the outcomes were extracted from the article. Considering the absence of homogeneity among the articles (as a result of variation in the age of subjects, type of intervention and outcome measures) quantitative analysis was not conducted. The publications were grouped based on their outcome measures: (i) plaque and gingival health; (ii) caries incidence; (iii) knowledge, attitude and oral health-related behaviour; and (iv) toothbrushing skills.

RESULTS

The results of this analysis suggest that further efforts are required to synthesise, systematically, current information about dental health education, along with the maintenance of rigorous scientific standards in research.

Evaluating a community-based dental registration program for preschool children living in areas of high social deprivation

AIM

This was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based program to promote dental registration and access to dental services for preschool children residing in areas of high social deprivation using monthly registration data provided by the Central Services Agency (CSA).

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental non-equivalent two group comparison.

SETTING

Areas of high social deprivation in the greater Belfast area.

METHODS

The dental registration program was conducted by community-based nurses (health visitors). The health visitors provided oral health education and distributed registration vouchers to mothers of new babies during home visits. The mothers exchanged the vouchers for motivational materials from the participating dental practices. Preschool child registration data were obtained from the CSA to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

RESULTS

The registration rates were significantly greater 5 months after the program for 0-2-year old children residing in the intervention wards compared with control wards. During the program the rate of change in registration for the 0-2-year-old group residing in the intervention wards was significantly greater compared with those residing in the control wards (t [DF:21]=4.26: p<0.001). There was a significant increase in registration rate 5 months after the program compared with 6 months before the study started for the 0-2 year old group residing in the intervention wards compared with those residing in the control wards (t [df: 21]=3.33: P=0.003). There were no equivalent effects for the 3-5-year old group.

CONCLUSION

The adoption of a community-based approach assisted in promoting dental registration and access to dental services for preschool children residing in areas of high social deprivation.

One-to-one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour

BACKGROUND

The dental care setting is an appropriate place to deliver dietary assessment and advice as part of patient management. However, we do not know whether this is effective in changing dietary behaviour.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of one-to-one dietary interventions for all ages carried out in a dental care setting in changing dietary behaviour. The effectiveness of these interventions in the subsequent changing of oral and general health is also assessed.

SEARCH METHODS

The following electronic databases were searched: the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (to 24 January 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 1), MEDLINE via OVID (1950 to 24 January 2012), EMBASE via OVID (1980 to 24 January 2012), CINAHL via EBSCO (1982 to 24 January 2012), PsycINFO via OVID (1967 to 24 January 2012), and Web of Science (1945 to 12 April 2011). We also undertook an electronic search of key conference proceedings (IADR and ORCA between 2000 and 13 July 2011). Reference lists of relevant articles, thesis publications (Dissertations Abstracts Online 1861 to 2011) were searched. The authors of eligible trials were contacted to identify any unpublished work.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of one-to-one dietary interventions delivered in a dental care setting.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Abstract screening, eligibility screening and data extraction decisions were all carried out independently and in duplicate by two review authors. Consensus between the two opinions was achieved by discussion, or involvement of a third review author.

MAIN RESULTS

Five studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Two of these were multi-intervention studies where the dietary intervention was one component of a wider programme of prevention, but where data on dietary behaviour change were reported. One of the single intervention studies was concerned with dental caries prevention. The other two concerned general health outcomes. There were no studies concerned with dietary change aimed at preventing tooth erosion. In four out of the five included studies a significant change in dietary behaviour was found for at least one of the primary outcome variables.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is some evidence that one-to-one dietary interventions in the dental setting can change behaviour, although the evidence is greater for interventions aiming to change fruit/vegetable and alcohol consumption than for those aiming to change dietary sugar consumption. There is a need for more studies, particularly in the dental practice setting, as well as greater methodological rigour in the design, statistical analysis and reporting of such studies.

Empowering Head Start to improve access to good oral health for children from low income families

Surveys over 20 years have documented worsening in the dental health of preschoolers. Healthy People 2010 Midcourse Review reports the country moving away from oral health goals for young children; the slip is 57%. Exacerbating this is the inability of Medicaid to provide for those in need. Most children receive examinations only: few receive comprehensive care. We urge Head Start grantees to adopt a new approach to oral health goals and in this paper offer: (1) a review of the problem and premises preventing a solution; (2) a proposal that Head Start adopt a public health perspective; and (3) specific roles staff and dental personnel can take to mount aggressive strategies to arrest tooth decay at the grantee site.

Oral health in young individuals with foreign and Swedish backgrounds--a ten-year perspective

AIM

To investigate oral health status and coherent determinants in children with foreign backgrounds compared with children with a Swedish background, during a ten year period.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In 1993 and 2003, cross-sectional studies with random samples of individuals in the age groups 3, 5, 10 and 15 years were performed in Jönköping, Sweden. All the individuals were personally invited to a clinical and radiographic examination of their oral health status. They were also asked about their attitudes to and knowledge of teeth and oral health care habits. The final study sample comprised 739 children and adolescents, 154 with a foreign background (F cohort) and 585 with a Swedish background (S cohort).

RESULTS

In both 1993 and 2003, more 3- and 5 year olds in the S cohort were caries-free compared with the F cohort. In 1993, dfs was higher among 3- and 5 year olds in the F cohort (p<0.01) compared with the S cohort. In 2003, dfs/DFS was statistically significantly higher in all age groups among children and adolescents in the F cohort compared with the S cohort. When it came to proximal tooth surfaces, the percentages of individuals who were caries-free, with initial carious lesions, with manifest carious lesions and with restorations among 10-year-olds in the F cohort were 55%, 23%, 4% and 18% in 1993. The corresponding figures for the S cohort were 69%, 20%, 6% and 5% respectively. In 2003, the values for the F cohort were 54%, 29%, 4% and 13% compared with 82%, 12%, 1% and 5% in the S cohort. In 2003, the odds of being exposed to dental caries among 10- and 15-yearolds in the F cohort, adjusted for gender and age, were more than six times higher (OR=6.3, 95% CI:2.51-15.61; p<0.001) compared with the S cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a decline in caries prevalence between 1993 and 2003 in all age groups apart from 3-year-olds. However, the improvement in dfs/DFS was greater in the S cohort compared with the F cohort in all age groups. The difference between the F and S cohorts in terms of dfs/ DFS was larger in 2003 compared with 10 years earlier. In 2003, the odds ratio for being exposed to dental caries was almost six times higher for 10- and 15-year-olds with two foreign-born parents compared with their Swedish counterparts.

Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children taking part in an oral health programme including fluoride tablet supplements from the age of 2 years

AIM

To investigate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children who had participated in an oral health programme between the ages 2-5 years, including fluoride tablets from the age of 2 years.

DESIGN

The study group consisted of 135 10- to 11-year-old children who had participated in the programme, including parent education, tooth-brushing instruction and prescribed fluoride tablets (0.25 mg NaF) (2-3 years: 1 tablet/day; 3-5 years: 2 tablets/day). The prevalence of dental fluorosis in the study group was compared with that in a nonintervention reference group consisting of 129 children of the same ages. The analysis was based on photos of the permanent maxillary front teeth using the Thylstrup & Fejerskov (TF) Index.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference in prevalence of dental fluorosis was seen between the two groups. Forty-three percent of the children in the study group and 38% in the reference group had fluorosis, the majority of a mild nature (TF-score 1). None had a TF score above 2. The pattern was the same after correction for parent reported intake of tablets at 3 and 5 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Introduction of fluoride tablets at the age of 2 years did not result in increased prevalence of dental fluorosis.

Tracking of parents' attitudes to their children's oral health-related behavior-Oslo, Norway, 2002-04

OBJECTIVES

To investigate dental beliefs and attitudes of a diverse group of parents from their children when they were aged 3 and 5 years old and to identify possible mediators for a group composed of the parents with the most negative dental attitudes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data were collected by parental questionnaire when the children were aged 3 years in 2002 and again 2 years later. The inclusion criteria were children with mothers from Norway (N group) or non-Western countries (IM(1) group). Questionnaires were extensive and had previously been used in a multicenter study. Three composite attitudinal variables relating to oral hygiene, diet and parental indulgence were calculated and an "attitudinal risk group" identified. The association between those variables and the assignment to the group was measured by odds ratio (bivariate and multiple logistic regression).

RESULTS

The N parents' dental attitudes were significantly more positive in 2004 when their children were 5 years old than when they were 3 years old (p < 0.0001), but this was not the case among immigrant parents. "Education" and "Immigrant status" [odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-7.0; and OR 2.8, CI 1.1-7.3, respectively] were significantly associated with the defined "attitudinal risk group".

CONCLUSIONS

Only dental attitudes among N parents were significantly more positive in 2004 than in 2002. Not having higher education and being of non-Western background were associated with belonging to the "attitudinal risk group". Culturally tailored programs of dental health education are needed to promote more positive attitudes to oral health.

Prevention of early childhood caries (ECC)--review of literature published 1998-2007

AIM

This was to examine the literature published during the last decade and review the effectiveness of methods used for the prevention of early childhood caries (ECC).

STUDY DESIGN

A critical review of papers.

METHODS

A broad search of the PubMed database was conducted from 1998 through September 2007, using "early childhood caries", "baby bottle tooth decay", "nursing caries", "infant caries", "caries prevention" and "oral health education" as index terms. Relevant papers published in English between 1998 and 2007 were identified after a review of their abstracts. Papers were selected if they reported a prospective controlled design with preventive or non-invasive intervention directed to children under the age of 3 years. A defined endpoint measure of cavitated or non-cavitated clinical caries, expressed as incidence or prevalence, was required. The targeted publications were critically assessed by the author concerning design, methodology and performance.

RESULTS

The initial search revealed 66 papers of which 22 met the inclusion criteria. The results reinforced the role of fluoride toothpaste as the most cost-effective home-care measure and semi-annual fluoride varnish applications as the best professional method for infants at risk. The evidence concerning the preventive effect of antibacterial agents, primary-primary prevention and dental health education were inconclusive but the included studies supported the importance of early start, outreach activities and motivational interviewing as key factors to overcome cultural and socioeconomic barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is a body of evidence for the use of fluoride in preventing ECC, further high-quality studies are needed to further establish the best way to maintain oral health in infants.

Caries prevalence and background factors in Swedish 4-year-old children - a 40-year perspective

BACKGROUND

Periodic and well-controlled studies of caries and background factors are important for organizing dental care and how prevention should be addressed.

AIMS

The aims of this study were to compare data on caries prevalence and background factors in 4-year-old children from 2007 with data collected periodically between 1967 and 2002 with the same methods and criteria, and to compare immigrant and non-immigrant children concerning caries prevalence and background factors.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study in 4-year-old children living in Umeå, northern Sweden (n = 218), was performed. Caries recordings included both cavitated and non-cavitated caries lesion, and bite-wing radiographs were used on indications. Data on oral hygiene, use of fluorides, general health, and medication and sugar consumption were collected using the same questions and questionnaire as in the previous studies.

RESULTS

In 2007, 38% of the children displayed caries compared to 46% in 2002. The distribution of decayed, missing, or filled surfaces-primary teeth values was statistically significantly different in 2007 compared to 2002 (P < 0.05). The intake frequency of sugary between-meal products was generally lower, and toothbrushing frequency was higher in 2007 compared with data from the 2002 study. In children with immigrant background, the frequency of toothbrushing was statistically significantly lower, and snacking was more common (P < 0.05). Sixteen per cent had immigrant background and 59% had caries compared to 32% in the rest of the cohort (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Important changes in caries prevalence of 4-year-old children have taken place since 2002 concurrently with a decreased intake of sugary between-meal products and increased toothbrushing frequency. Immigrant background had a significant association with caries prevalence in 2007.

Outcome of an oral health outreach programme for preschool children in a low socioeconomic multicultural area

BACKGROUND

Despite a significant reduction in the prevalence of dental caries, childhood tooth decay is still a public health problem in both developed and developing countries.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the caries preventive effect of an oral health programme for preschool children living in a low socioeconomic multicultural area in the city of Malmö, Sweden.

METHODS

Eight hundred and four 2-year-old children were enrolled and recalled every third month between ages 2 and 3 and semi-annually between ages 3 and 5 years. From an outreach facility, parents were instructed on oral health with a focus on toothbrushing and diet, and provided fluoride tablets free of charge. Participants completed a clinical examination and a structured interview at age of 5 years, at which point 651 children (81%) remained in the programme. The results of the intervention group were compared with a non-intervention reference group consisting of 201 5-year-old children from the same district.

RESULTS

In the intervention group, 96% attended four or more of their scheduled appointments, and mean caries prevalence was significantly lower than in the reference group (5.4 deft vs. 6.9 deft; P < 0.001). The prevented defs fraction was 27%. Parents' daily assistance with toothbrushing and administering fluoride tablets was significantly better in the intervention group than in the reference group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the early start of oral health programme had a significant beneficial effect on caries prevalence after 3 years.