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  • Title: Oral health behaviors of children in low and high socioeconomic status families.
    Author: Hamasha AA, Warren JJ, Levy SM, Broffitt B, Kanellis MJ.
    Journal: Pediatr Dent; 2006; 28(4):310-5. PubMed ID: 16903438.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: This prospective longitudinal study compared the patterns of oral health behaviors between low and high socioeconomic status (SES) families participating in the Iowa Fluoride Study for a period of 9 years. METHODS: Information on oral health behaviors, including consumption of juices/juice drinks, soda pop, and powder-based drinks, dental visits, and tooth-brushing frequency, was collected longitudinally at periodic intervals from 6 to 108 months of age. Dental exams were conducted at 5 and 9 years of age. Classification of low socioeconomic status (SES; n=70) and high-SES (n= 128) children was based on baseline family income and mothers' education levels, with middle SES excluded. RESULTS: Low SES children consistently had significantly greater consumption of soda pop and powder-based beverages. There were, however, virtually no differences at any time point between groups in: (1) tooth-brushing frequency; (2) use of dentifrice; or (3) fluoride concentration in drinking water. Furthermore, the mean number of decayed and filled surfaces was significantly higher in the low-SES group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that beverage consumption patterns are a key difference between high- and low-socioeconomic status families and could in part explain differences in caries experience between subjects of different SES. Modification of the pattern of soda pop and powder-based beverage consumption in the low-SES groups might reduce their caries experience.
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