Caries and Feeding Patterns in South Florida Preschool Children

Grant Winners

Dean

Abstract

Although results of national surveys indicate that the incidence of dental caries has decreased in the United States. Regional studies suggest the incidence and prevalence of dental disease are still a serious health problem that must be addressed. Dental disease has been identified as an important health problem in the South Florida region by the Florida Dental Association and Florida Department of Health. However, information of the oral health conditions and treatment needs of this population remains scarce. The objective of this project is to establish a database to develop intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence of dental caries in at-risk preschool minority populations in South Florida. This goal can be best achieved by (i) providing policy makers and researchers with detailed, reliable and valid data on dental caries in preschool children in South Florida, (ii) describing the relationship among feeding patterns and prevalence of dental caries in preschool children, and (iii) comparing these data with other communities in the United States.