Table 2.
Bivariate analysis of dental caries development and severe dental caries development from 4 to 7 years of age and correlations with independent (exposure) variables.
| Dental Caries Development | Severe Dental Caries Development | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Caries = 0 n (%) |
New Caries > 0 n (%) |
p | New Caries = 0 n (%) |
New Caries > 2 n (%) |
p | |
| Child’s sex | ||||||
| Female | 146 (49.3) | 143 (46.0) | 0.410 | 146 (49.3) | 76 (45.8) | 0.465 |
| Male | 150 (50.7) | 168 (54.0) | 150 (50.7) | 90 (54.2) | ||
| Maternal education | ||||||
| ≤9 years | 99 (33.4) | 160 (51.8) | <0.001 | 99 (33.4) | 99 (60.0) | <0.001 |
| 10–12 years | 95 (32.1) | 87 (28.2) | 95 (32.1) | 49 (29.7) | ||
| >12 years | 102 (34.5) | 62 (20.1) | 102 (34.5) | 17 (10.3) | ||
| Monthly household income | ||||||
| Low: ≤1000 € | 56 (19.1) | 107 (35.0) | <0.001 | 75 (25.8) | 65 (40.1) | <0.001 |
| Intermediate: 1001–1500 € | 75 (25.6) | 90 (29.4) | 81 (27.8) | 56 (34.6) | ||
| High: >1500 € | 162 (55.3) | 109 (35.6) | 135 (46.4) | 41 (25.3) | ||
| Toothbrushing frequency | ||||||
| <2 or ≥2 times per day, none at bedtime | 123 (42.0) | 152 (49.8) | 0.054 | 123 (42.0) | 83 (50.9) | 0.066 |
| ≥2 times per day, 1 at bedtime | 170 (58.0) | 153 (50.2) | 170 (58.0) | 80 (49.1) | ||
| Fluoride toothpaste | ||||||
| No | 14 (6.3) | 15 (6.6) | 0.907 | 14 (6.3) | 7 (5.9) | 0.884 |
| Yes | 207 (93.7) | 212 (93.4) | 207 (93.7) | 111 (94.1) | ||
| Parental-supervised toothbrushing | ||||||
| No | 19 (6.5) | 36 (11.7) | 0.029 | 19 (6.5) | 19 (11.5) | 0.064 |
| Yes | 272 (93.5) | 272 (88.3) | 272 (93.5) | 146 (88.5) | ||
| Dental appointment at 4-year-old | ||||||
| No | 199 (67.9) | 203 (65.3) | 0.491 | 199 (67.9) | 112 (67.5) | 0.921 |
| Yes | 94 (32.8) | 108 (34.7) | 94 (32.1) | 54 (32.5) | ||
| Eating before go to bed | ||||||
| No | 180 (62.3) | 162 (52.6) | 0.017 | 180 (62.3) | 80 (48.8) | 0.005 |
| Yes | 109 (37.7) | 146 (47.4) | 109 (37.7) | 84 (51.2) | ||
| Dietary patterns | ||||||
| Energy-dense foods | 116 (39.5) | 158 (51.8) | 0.002 | 116 (39.5) | 87 (53.7) | <0.001 |
| Snacking | 37 (12.6) | 44 (14.4) | 37 (12.6) | 29 (17.9) | ||
| Healthier | 141 (48.0) | 103 (33.8) | 141 (48.0) | 46 (28.4) | ||
| Daily frequency of cariogenic food intake | ||||||
| n | 213 | 230 | 0.575 | 294 | 165 | 0.622 |
| Median (IQR) | 2.74 (1.99–3.75) | 2.82 (1.85–4.12) | 2.39 (1.72–3.42) | 3.24 (2.09–4.39) | ||
| Daily frequency of cariogenic drinks intake | ||||||
| n | 214 | 230 | 0.063 | 294 | 165 | 0.070 |
| Median (IQR) | 0.67 (0.26–1.26) | 0.855 (0.34–1.48) | 1.34 (0.9–2.42) | 1.93 (1.24–3.01) | ||
Bold entries denote statistical significance (p < 0.05); data are presented as proportions (%) for categorical measures and median values and interquartile ranges for continuous measures; differences between groups were tested with Fisher’s exact test or chi-square test, respectively.