Immigrant–Native Differences in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage and Snack Consumption and Preventive Behaviors Associated with Severe Early Childhood Caries: A Large-Scale Survey in Taiwan

Ying-Chun Lin, Chin-Shun Chang, Pei-Shan Ho, Chien-Hung Lee, Jen-Hao Chen and Hsiao-Ling Huang
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Ying-Chun Lin: Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Chin-Shun Chang: Taiwan Society of Oral Health, Keelung 201, Taiwan
Pei-Shan Ho: Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Chien-Hung Lee: Division of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Jen-Hao Chen: School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Hsiao-Ling Huang: Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: This study assessed the differences between immigrants and natives in terms of combined effects of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) or snack consumption and preventive behaviors for severe early childhood caries (SECC) through a large-scale survey of 31,565 native and 1046 immigrant child–parent pairs in Taiwan. Children aged 3–5 years underwent dental examinations, and parents completed structured questionnaires. Immigrants had a significantly higher SECC prevalence than native children (32.3% vs. 19.4%). A combined effect of SECC was observed in native children who did not receive assistance when brushing teeth at night before sleep and those who consumed SSBs more than four times weekly (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.8). Moreover, native children who did not use dental floss and who consumed snacks more than four times weekly had an aOR of 4.1 for SECC. The combined effects of children with immigrant parents who did not receive assistance when brushing their teeth at night before sleep and those who consumed snacks more than four times weekly had an aOR of 8.2 for SECC. The results suggest the necessity of cross-cultural caries prevention programs for immigrants. Parents must limit children’s SSB and snack intake, and implement preventive measures to reduce SECC development.

Keywords: severe early childhood caries (SECC); caries prevention; tooth brushing; flossing; fluoride varnish; sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); snacks; immigrant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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