Caries-risk factors for Hispanic children affected by early childhood caries.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with early childhood caries (ECC) and to develop a profile of risk factors for Hispanic families affected by this condition. METHODS Sixty Hispanic families with at least 1 child affected by ECC and 60 Hispanic families without any affected children were included in the study. Data was collected using a parent-completed questionnaire which gathered information about family demographics, dental care and hygiene practices, and feeding practices of the children. RESULTS Parents in families without ECC were significantly more likely to have visited the dentist recently and the children were less likely to sleep while feeding compared to families with an ECC-affected child. Within families affected by ECC, siblings with ECC were significantly more likely to use the bottle and to sleep while feeding compared with their siblings without ECC. Fifty-five percent of the subject families had more than 1 child affected by ECC. However, odds ratios did not indicate an increased risk of ECC among younger siblings in the presence of affected older siblings. CONCLUSIONS The current study, while supporting the long-held belief that feeding practices influence the susceptibility and course of ECC, demonstrates the role of other nonfeeding practices.