Caries Experience Using an Ecological Model

In this paper we present the findings of a study designed to test the usefulness of an ecological model containing factors believed to affect children's oral health both directly and indirectly. It has long been accepted that there are multiple factors involved in the etiology of dental disease-in this case, caries. However, most dental research uses explanatory models involving a limited range of variables. Investigators who study relationships between caries and factors in the oral cavity often use only one independent variable. Gustafsson et all studied the relationship between diet (sucrose) and caries experience. Barenie, Leske, and Ripa2 related oral hygiene to caries experience in children. Littleton, Kakehashi, and Fitzgerald3 isolated caries-inducing microorganisms from carnous lesions. Duany, jablon, and Zinner4 studied the effects of two independent variables by relating diet and oral hygiene to the oral condition of caries-free and caries-active students. Littleton, Kakehashi, and Fitzgerald5 used a three-factor model to study the relationship