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Objectives To assess the relationships between different behavioral factors and Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in African-American pre-school children. Methods Ninety-six African-American children aged 3 to 22 months old at baseline were recruited by word of mouth from Uniontown, Alabama, a non-fluoridated community. The children had dental examinations annually following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria at baseline, 1st, 2nd and 3rd follow-up. Parents provided detailed oral hygiene and dietary information every six months by completing questionnaires. Cumulative calculations using area-under-the-curve (AUC) were made for all the independent variables that were assessed at the follow-up questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariable relationships between ECC incidence and different behavioral risk factors were assessed using logistic regression for dichotomous dependent variables and negative binomial modeling for count dependent variables. Independent variables were defined at baseline, as the AUC and at 2nd follow-up. Results Ninety-nine percent of the children consumed sugar-added beverages by the time of the 2nd follow-up visit. Increased frequency of toothbrushing and increased AUC composite of daily frequency of consumption of 100% juices were associated with decreased incidence of dental caries (p-values=0.01 and 0.049, ORs=0.34 and 0.37, respectively). Greater AUC of daily frequency of consumption of sweetened foods and a history of a previous visit to a dentist by the 2nd follow-up visit were associated with increased incidence of ECC (p-values=0.002 and 0.03, ORs=9.22 and 4.57, respectively). Conclusion For those living in a non-fluoridated community, more frequent consumption of sweetened food, less frequent consumption of 100% juice, less frequent toothbrushing, and reporting a previous visit to a dentist were significantly associated with increased ECC incidence.

Specific immune defense against cariogenic mutans streptococci is provided largely by salivary secretory IgA antibodies, which are generated by the common mucosal immune system. This system is functional in newborn infants, who develop salivary IgA antibodies as they become colonized by oral microorganisms. The mechanisms of action of salivary IgA antibodies include interference with sucrose–independent and sucrose– dependent attachment of mutans streptococci to tooth surfaces, as well as possible inhibition of metabolic activities. The goal of protecting infants against colonization by mutans streptococci might be accomplished by applying new strategies of mucosal immunization that would induce salivary IgA antibodies without the complications of parenteral immunization. Strategies of mucosal immunization against mutans streptococci currently under development include the use of surface adhesins and glucosyltransferase as key antigens, which are being incorporated into novel mucosal vaccine delivery systems and adjuvants. The oral application of preformed, genetically engineered antibodies to mutans streptococcal antigens also offers new prospects for passive immunization against dental caries.

JT. Dental and craniofacial anomalies of Axenfeld-Rieger syndrorrre. J Oral Pathol 1986: 15: 534-539. Apart Irorrr the three distinguishing findings for the diagnosis of Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (oligodontia, failure of periumbilical skin to involute, and ocular anterior chamber defeets), a common feature is midfacc hypoplasia. Two theories have been proposed to explain the midface hypoplasia. One theory suggests a pleiotropic gene effect of defective neural crest cells, while the other theory proposes that midface hypoplasia is a local effect due to the absenee of teeth. This study presents an evaluation of the craniofacial defects in a family affected with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. The maxillary deficiency in three affected patients was not lirrrited to the alveolar regions. We conclude that a combination of skeletal and dentoalveolar factors contributes to the midface hypoplasia associated with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome.

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