Pathways influencing dental caries increment among children: A cohort study

Abstract Background Dentists should assess pathways influencing the increment of dental caries among children to guide the prevention and treatment of the disease. Aim Evaluate the pathways that influence the increment of carious lesions in pre‐school children. Design This is a 2‐year cohort study was conducted with a random sample of 639 pre‐school children in southern Brazil. Caries experience, socioeconomic status (SES), social capital, and psychosocial characteristics were obtained at baseline. Increment of dental caries was assessed at 2 years follow‐up in 467 children (cohort retention rate of 73.1%). Previously calibrated examiners assess the caries through the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the pathways influencing dental caries increment. Results Dental caries at baseline was heavily influenced by children's age (SC: 0.381, P < .01), tooth plaque (SC: 0.077, P = .02), parent's perception child oral health (SC: 0.295, P < .01), and household (SC: 0.148, P < .01). Increment of dental caries was directly affected by dental caries at baseline (Standardized Coefficients [SC]: 0.377, P < .01). Indirect paths were not significant. Conclusions Dental caries experience was the main factor of direct influence on the increment of caries, reinforcing the theory of risk accumulation over time.