Table 2.

Relationship between mothers’ questionnaire response and child caries experience for 3- to 5-year-olds (study sample 2)

Question	n	Caries Prevalence (%)	p-value	Relative Risk of frank decay (d2 or filled) (95% CI)
1. How would you describe the condition of your teeth? Good to Excellent Fair to Poor	51 53	29 66	<0.01	2.2 (1.4,3.9)
2. Which statement best describes when you go to the dentist? I go regularly I don’t go regularly	34 65	32 57	0.02	1.8 (1.0*,3.0)
3. How often do you usually go to the dentist? At least once per year Less than once per year	41 57	34 60	0.01	1.7 (1.1,2.8)
4. How long ago was your last dental visit? Within the last year More than one year ago	59 38	42 55	0.22	1.3 (0.9,2.0)
5. When was the last time you had treatment for a cavity? Within the past two years More than two years ago	57 41	53 44	0.39	1.2 (0.8,1.8)
6. Which best describes the cavities that you have now? I don’t believe that I have cavities or a dentist has told me I don’t have any cavities. I think I have cavities, or a dentist has told me that I have one or more cavities	49 50	29 68	<0.01	2.4 (1.5,3.9)
7. Which of the following best describes your cavity history? I’ve never had a cavity, or have had cavities but never had a tooth pulled I’ve had cavities and have had a tooth pulled	52 51	37 59	0.02	1.6 (1.1,2.5)
8. Are you missing two or more teeth due to cavities? Yes No	38 66	68 36	<0.01	1.9 (1.3,2.8)

^*1.036 rounded to 1.0