Table 2.
Questionnaire Responses at Child Ages 1, 2.5, and 4 Years.
| Questionnaire Item | Response | Baseline (Age 1) (n = 1,326) | Age 2.5 y (n = 1,062) | Age 4 y (n = 985) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does your child have any teeth? | No | 7 (6–9) | ||
| Yes | 93 (91–94) | |||
| Does your child have any cavities or fillings? | No | 82 (80–85) | 82 (80–84) | 77 (74–79) |
| Yes | 1 (1–2) | 5 (4–6) | 15 (13–17) | |
| Don’t know | 16 (14–18) | 13 (11–15) | 8 (6–10) | |
| Did your child’s doctor or dentist prescribe fluoride drops or tablets? | No | 95 (94–97) | 94 (93–96) | 93 (92–94) |
| Yes | 1 (1–2) | 3 (2–4) | 5 (3–6) | |
| Don’t know | 3 (2–4) | 3 (2–4) | 2 (1–3) | |
| Does your child wear any oral appliances such as space maintainers? | No | 100 (99–100) | 100 (100–100) | 99 (99–100) |
| Yes | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–1) | |
| Don’t know | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | |
| Does your child receive topical fluoride from a health professional (doctor, dentist, nurse, hygienist, etc.)? | No | 87 (85–89) | 61 (58–63) | 45 (42–48) |
| Yes | 12 (10–14) | 37 (35–40) | 53 (50–55) | |
| Don’t know | 1 (0–2) | 2 (1–3) | 2 (1–3) | |
| How often does an adult brush your child’s teeth? | Daily | 58 (55–60) | 92 (91–94) | 91 (90–93) |
| Weekly | 16 (14–18) | 6 (5–8) | 7 (6–8) | |
| Monthly | 2 (1–3) | 1 (0–1) | 1 (0–1) | |
| Never | 25 (22–27) | 1 (0–1) | 1 (0–2) | |
| How often are your child’s teeth brushed with toothpaste? | Daily | 33 (30–35) | 88 (86–90) | 95 (93–96) |
| Weekly | 10 (8–12) | 6 (5–8) | 3 (2–4) | |
| Monthly | 1 (0–2) | 1 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | |
| Never | 56 (53–59) | 5 (4–6) | 2 (1–2) | |
| How often are your child’s teeth brushed with nonfluoride toothpaste? | Daily | 23 (21–26) | 40 (37–43) | 32 (29–34) |
| Weekly | 8 (6–9) | 5 (4–6) | 3 (2–4) | |
| Monthly | 1 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) | 2 (1–2) | |
| Never | 68 (65–70) | 54 (51–57) | 64 (61–66) | |
| How often does your child share a toothbrush with another person? | Daily | 1 (0–1) | 2 (1–3) | 1 (0–2) |
| Weekly | 2 (1–2) | 2 (2–3) | 2 (1–3) | |
| Monthly | 0 (0–1) | 2 (1–3) | 1 (1–2) | |
| Never | 97 (96–98) | 94 (93–95) | 95 (94–97) | |
| How often do you check your child’s teeth for anything unusual? | Daily | 43 (40–46) | 45 (42–48) | 44 (41–48) |
| Weekly | 34 (31–37) | 33 (30–36) | 32 (29–35) | |
| Monthly | 7 (6–9) | 14 (12–16) | 16 (14–19) | |
| Never | 15 (13–17) | 9 (7–10) | 8 (6–9) | |
| When brushing, how often do your child’s gums bleed? | Daily | 1 (1–2) | 1 (0–1) | 1 (0–1) |
| Weekly | 1 (0–1) | 2 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) | |
| Monthly | 0 (0–1) | 2 (1–3) | 1 (1–2) | |
| Never | 98 (97–99) | 96 (95–97) | 97 (96–98) | |
| How often do you clean inside your child’s mouth and/or gums? | DailyWeekly | 57 (54–59)18 (15–20) | 73 (70–75)12 (10–14) | 67 (64–70)15 (13–17) |
| Monthly | 4 (3–5) | 2 (1–2) | 3 (2–4) | |
| Never | 22 (20–24) | 14 (12–16) | 15 (13–17) | |
| Does your child usually (throughout the day) drink from a bottle or sippy cup? | No | 5 (4–6) | 35 (32–38) | 79 (76–81) |
| Yes | 95 (94–96) | 65 (62–68) | 21 (19–24) | |
| How often does your child go to sleep while nursing or while drinking something other than water from a bottle/sippy cup? | Daily | 47 (44–49) | 14 (12–16) | 3 (2–4) |
| Weekly | 11 (10–13) | 6 (5–8) | 1 (1–2) | |
| Monthly | 2 (1–3) | 2 (1–2) | 1 (0–1) | |
| Never | 40 (37–43) | 78 (76–81) | 94 (93–96) | |
| How often does your child eat or drink anything other than plain water before going to bed (and after you have brushed his/her teeth, if teeth are brushed)? | Daily | 63 (60–66) | 27 (25–30) | 18 (15–20) |
| Weekly | 13 (11–15) | 19 (17–21) | 19 (16–21) | |
| Monthly | 2 (1–3) | 6 (5–7) | 8 (6–10) | |
| Never | 22 (20–24) | 48 (45–51) | 56 (53–59) | |
| How often does your child typically drink tap water, including filtered water from the refrigerator? | Daily | 58 (55–60) | 74 (72–77) | 75 (72–77) |
| Weekly | 13 (11–15) | 9 (8–11) | 8 (6–10) | |
| Monthly | 3 (2–4) | 2 (1–3) | 2 (1–2) | |
| Never | 27 (24–29) | 14 (12–17) | 16 (14–18) | |
| How often do you give your child sugary snacks such as raisins, candy, cookies, cakes, or cereal between meals? | Three or more times a day | 4 (3–5) | 4 (3–5) | 4 (3–6) |
| One or 2 times a day | 41 (38–44) | 58 (55–61) | 55 (52–58) | |
| Weekly | 25 (23–27) | 32 (29–35) | 35 (32–38) | |
| Monthly | 7 (6–8) | 5 (4–6) | 4 (3–5) | |
| Never | 23 (21–26) | 1 (1–2) | 2 (1–2) | |
| How often do you give your child sugary drinks such as regular soda, sweet tea, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, or fruit juice between meals? | Three or more times a day | 4 (3–5) | 8 (6–9) | 6 (4–7) |
| One or 2 times a day | 26 (23–28) | 43 (40–46) | 44 (41–47) | |
| Weekly | 18 (16–20) | 24 (22–27) | 29 (26–32) | |
| Monthly | 5 (4–7) | 10 (9–12) | 11 (10–13) | |
| Never | 47 (45–50) | 15 (13–17) | 10 (8–12) | |
| How often do you clean your child’s pacifier with juice, soda, honey, or sweet drink? | Daily | 1 (1–2) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) |
| Weekly | 2 (1–3) | 1 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | |
| Monthly | 1 (1–2) | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | |
| Never | 53 (50–56) | 34 (31–36) | 31 (28–34) | |
| Don’t use pacifier | 42 (40–45) | 65 (62–68) | 69 (66–72) | |
| How often do you clean your child’s pacifier by putting it in your mouth? | Daily | 14 (12–16) | 2 (1–3) | 0 (0–1) |
| Weekly | 6 (4–7) | 1 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | |
| Monthly | 2 (1–3) | 1 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | |
| Never | 34 (31–37) | 28 (25–31) | 27 (25–30) | |
| Don’t use pacifier | 45 (42–47) | 69 (66–72) | 72 (69–74) | |
| How often do you share/taste food with your child using the same spoon, fork, glass, or other utensil? | Daily | 46 (43–48) | 26 (23–29) | 14 (12–17) |
| Weekly | 22 (20–25) | 31 (28–34) | 28 (25–31) | |
| Monthly | 4 (3–5) | 7 (6–9) | 10 (8–12) | |
| Never | 28 (26–31) | 35 (33–38) | 47 (44–51) | |
| How often do you kiss your child on the mouth? | Daily | 61 (58–63) | 57 (54–60) | 50 (46–53) |
| Weekly | 12 (10–14) | 15 (13–17) | 12 (10–13) | |
| Monthly | 3 (2–4) | 3 (2–4) | 5 (3–6) | |
| Never | 25 (22–27) | 25 (22–27) | 34 (31–37) | |
| How often do you take your child to the dentist? | Never | 85 (83–87) | 34 (31–36) | 16 (14–18) |
| Only when in pain | 0 (0–1) | 1 (0–1) | 1 (0–1) | |
| Yearly | 6 (5–7) | 19 (17–22) | 20 (18–23) | |
| Twice yearly | 8 (7–9) | 46 (43–49) | 63 (60–66) | |
| Is it very difficult to get your child to the doctor or the dentist? | No | 97 (96–98) | 93 (91–94) | 94 (92–95) |
| Yes | 3 (2–4) | 7 (6–9) | 6 (5–8) | |
| Is your child covered by additional health insurance? | No | 54 (51–57) | 54 (51–57) | 50 (47–53) |
| Yes | 45 (42–48) | 45 (42–47) | 49 (46–52) | |
| Don’t know | 1 (0–2) | 1 (1–2) | 1 (0–1) | |
| Is your child covered by additional dental insurance? | No | 63 (61–66) | 58 (56–61) | 53 (51–56) |
| Yes | 33 (30–35) | 39 (36–42) | 45 (42–47) | |
| Don’t know | 4 (3–5) | 2 (2–3) | 2 (1–3) | |
| Does your child participate in public assistance programs? | No | 40 (37–43) | 51 (48–54) | 59 (56–61) |
| Yes | 60 (57–62) | 48 (46–51) | 41 (38–44) | |
| Don’t know | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | |
| Do you have any natural teeth? | No | 1 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) |
| Yes | 99 (98–99) | 99 (98–99) | 99 (98–99) | |
| Have you had cavities, fillings and/or teeth pulled in the last 2 years? | No | 46 (43–48) | 50 (47–53) | 48 (45–51) |
| Yes | 54 (52–57) | 50 (47–53) | 52 (49–55) | |
| How often do your gums bleed when you brush? | Daily | 9 (8–11) | 8 (6–9) | 8 (6–9) |
| Weekly | 13 (11–15) | 14 (12–16) | 12 (10–14) | |
| Monthly | 23 (21–25) | 18 (16–21) | 21 (19–24) | |
| Never | 55 (52–58) | 60 (57–63) | 59 (56–62) | |
| How often do you brush your teeth? | Daily | 98 (97–99) | 98 (98–99) | 98 (98–99) |
| Weekly | 2 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) | |
| Monthly | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | |
| Never | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | |
| How often do you use toothpaste when you brush? | Daily | 98 (98–99) | 99 (98–99) | 98 (97–99) |
| Weekly | 1 (0–2) | 1 (0–2) | 1 (1–2) | |
| Monthly | 1 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–0) | |
| Never | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | |
| How often do you eat sugary snacks such as raisins, candy, cookies, cakes, or cereal bars between meals? | Three or more times a day | 14 (12–16) | 13 (11–14) | 10 (8–12) |
| One or 2 times a day | 46 (43–49) | 46 (43–49) | 44 (41–47) | |
| Weekly | 31 (29–34) | 33 (30–36) | 35 (32–38) | |
| Monthly | 7 (5–8) | 6 (5–8) | 8 (7–10) | |
| Never | 2 (2–3) | 2 (2–3) | 3 (2–4) | |
| How often do you drink sugary drinks such as regular soda, sweet tea, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, sports drinks, or fruit juice between meals? | Three or more times a dayOne or 2 times a dayWeekly | 22 (20–24)38 (36–41)21 (19–24) | 17 (15–19)39 (36–42)22 (20–25) | 14 (12–16)39 (36–42)22 (20–25) |
| Monthly | 9 (7–10) | 11 (9–13) | 12 (10–14) | |
| Never | 10 (8–11) | 11 (10–13) | 13 (11–15) | |
| How often do you eat or drink anything other than plain water before going to bed (and after brushing your teeth, if teeth are brushed)? | Daily | 39 (36–41) | 32 (29–34) | 28 (26–31) |
| Weekly | 17 (15–19) | 18 (16–20) | 18 (15–20) | |
| Monthly | 7 (5–8) | 6 (4–7) | 7 (6–8) | |
| Never | 38 (35–40) | 45 (42–48) | 47 (44–50) | |
| How often do you see your health care provider for regular checkups? | Two times each year | 34 (31–36) | 33 (30–35) | 31 (28–33) |
| Yearly | 51 (48–53) | 54 (51–57) | 56 (53–59) | |
| Every other year | 8 (7–10) | 8 (6–10) | 9 (8–11) | |
| Never | 7 (6–8) | 5 (4–6) | 4 (3–5) | |
| How often do you get dental checkups? | Two times each year | 44 (41–46) | 48 (45–51) | 53 (50–57) |
| Yearly | 27 (25–30) | 32 (29–35) | 27 (24–30) | |
| Every other year | 17 (15–19) | 12 (10–13) | 11 (9–13) | |
| Never | 12 (10–14) | 9 (7–10) | 8 (7–10) | |
| Do you have health insurance? | No | 17 (15–19) | 11 (9–13) | 9 (7–11) |
| Yes | 83 (81–85) | 89 (87–91) | 91 (89–93) | |
| Do you have dental insurance? | No | 30 (27–32) | 25 (23–28) | 21 (19–24) |
| Yes | 70 (68–73) | 75 (72–77) | 79 (76–81) | |
| Do you primarily speak a language other than English at home? | No | 81 (79–83) | 81 (79–83) | 81 (79–83) |
| Yes | 19 (17–21) | 19 (17–21) | 19 (17–21) | |
| Is an adult in the child’s household employed? | No | 18 (16–20) | 14 (12–16) | 12 (10–14) |
| Yes | 82 (80–84) | 86 (84–88) | 88 (86–90) | |
| Which of the following categories best represents the combined income of all family members in your household for the past 12 months? | Less than $5,000 | 15 (13–17) | 13 (11–15) | 11 (9–13) |
| $5,000–$9,999 | 8 (7–9) | 6 (5–7) | 6 (5–8) | |
| $10,000–$19,999 | 9 (7–11) | 13 (11–15) | 11 (9–13) | |
| $20,000–$29,999 | 11 (9–13) | 11 (9–13) | 10 (8–12) | |
| $30,000–$39,999 | 6 (5–7) | 8 (6–9) | 10 (8–11) | |
| $40,000–$49,999 | 6 (5–7) | 4 (3–5) | 6 (5–7) | |
| $50,000–$79,999 | 13 (11–15) | 14 (12–16) | 15 (13–17) | |
| $80,000–$99,999 | 7 (6–8) | 7 (6–9) | 8 (6–9) | |
| $100,000 or more | 12 (11–14) | 14 (12–16) | 18 (16–20) | |
| Don’t know | 12 (10–14) | 9 (7–10) | 6 (5–7) | |
| I do a/an ___ job taking care of the child’s teeth and/or gums (past behavior) | Excellent | 22 (20–24) | 21 (18–23) | 25 (22–28) |
| Very good | 30 (28–33) | 41 (38–44) | 42 (39–45) | |
| Good | 33 (31–36) | 31 (28–34) | 27 (24–29) | |
| Fair | 11 (10–13) | 7 (6–9) | 7 (5–8) | |
| Poor | 3 (2–4) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | |
| I do a/an ___job taking care of the child’s medical health (past behavior) | Excellent | 68 (65–70) | 61 (58–63) | 56 (53–59) |
| Very good | 26 (24–29) | 34 (31–37) | 37 (34–40) | |
| Good | 5 (4–7) | 5 (4–7) | 7 (5–8) | |
| Fair | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–1) | |
| Poor | 0 (0–0) | |||
| Number of children who live with you, mean (95% CI) | 2.10 (2.03–2.17) | 2.22 (2.15–2.29) | 2.43 (2.36–2.51) | |
| Number of adults who live with you, mean (95% CI) | 1.91 (1.87–1.94) | 1.87 (1.83–1.91) | 1.81 (1.77–1.85) |
Responses are percentage (95% CI) unless otherwise indicated.
CI, confidence interval.