Caries prevalence in 5-year-olds was strongly associated with parent-related factors signifying that information on parents' socioeconomic status, dental behaviours and attitudes should be considered when planning dental services for young children. Our results suggest that the real high risk group is non-western children whose parents have low education.

The best treatment of intruded incisors in 6-12 year-old children is to await re-eruption. Should endodontic treatment be required before re-eruption has occurred, a gingivectomy can be performed to gain access to the root canal.

Family characteristics in pregnancy and early life were associated with caries experience in 5-year-old children. Primary care personnel meeting young children with one or several of these characteristics should consider referring the child to dental personnel to enable early initiation of health-promoting activities.

In this study, associations were explored between maternal health and lifestyle during pregnancy and in early childhood and preschool children’s caries experience. The study is based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and on data from the Public Dental Services. A total of 1348 children were followed from pregnancy to age 5 yr. A clinical dental examination was performed at age 5 yr. Questionnaires were completed by the mothers during pregnancy and the first 18 months of life, and as part of the dental examination. Results from the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that having an obese mother (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.1), with a diet containing more fat (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 – 2.5) or sugar (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.3) than recommended, with low education (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.3) or having one or both parents of non-western origin (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.8–10.6) were statistically significant risk indicators for caries experience at age 5 yr. In conclusion, maternal weight and intake of sugar and fat in pregnancy were associated with caries experience in preschool children. These characteristics may enable early referral to the dental services and preventive care to be delivered.

This study indicates that root development and degree of intrusion may be important for the development of pulp necrosis as well as replacement resorption, whereas choice of treatment only seems to influence the development of replacement resorption in intruded permanent teeth. Awaiting re-eruption resulted in the lowest risk for developing replacement resorption.