Caries
Oral pH, Strep. mutans and dmft concordance among siblings in the same households
Van Tang, DMD (she/her/hers)
Resident
Boston University, Boston, MA
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Christine Chiao, MPH, DMD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Keri Discepolo, DDS, MPH
Post Graduate Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Christine Chiao, MPH, DMD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Keri Discepolo, DDS, MPH
Post Graduate Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Purpose: To assess the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among biological siblings aged 6-72 months from the same household and identify the risk factors associated with ECC.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study targeted 50 pairs of siblings who came for their new patient exam or routine dental exam at the Pediatric Dental clinics at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. Salivary samples will be collected from the sibling pairs to assess the salivary pH and s. mutans levels using CariScreen: a Caries Susceptibility testing device. DMFT will be assessed by dental examination. Parents will also respond to a questionnaire covering oral hygiene habits, infant breast- and bottle-feeding practices, choices of foods and drinks, access to dental care, fluoride exposure, and frequency oral exam.
Results & Conclusion: Outcomes will include salivary pH levels, S. mutans level, and DMFT. Data collection is on-going.