Prevention Management Model for Early Childhood Caries

The primary aim is to evaluate two programs, a minimal intervention program and a moderate intensity program, for preventing Early Childhood Caries. A four-year randomized clinical trial will be conducted specifically to: 1) Assess demographic and behavioral factors as predictors of ECC and the relationship between three-year post-intervention behavioral changes from baseline measures with disease outcomes; 2) Compare the efficacy for the prevention of ECC in two groups - the minimal intervention group (Group 1) receiving counseling alone, with the moderate intensity group (Group 2) receiving a) counseling and a therapeutic four-month regimen of Chlorhexidine rinse for new mothers and b) fluoride varnish applications for their infants and toddlers starting at twelve months of age and continuing to age 30 months; 3) Assess baseline salivary microbiological markers as predictors of ECC in the infants of women in both groups and the relationship between three-year post-intervention salivary markers and changes from baseline measures with disease outcomes; 4) Assess the impact of a caries-preventive model in lowering the salivary mutans streptococci level in post-partum women, and subsequently, in inhibiting the growth of these bacteria in their young children, delaying the infectious process.

The long term objectives are to build upon our understanding of caries risk factors, to assess the effectiveness of a prevention management model, to improve access to preventive oral health services and information for low-income pregnant women and their young children, and to reduce oral health disparities in a border population (U.S. - Mexico Border near San Diego Bay Area) at high risk for dental disease.