PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Vol. 29 No. 1       JAN - FEB 2007

ISSN: 0164-1263      UBIC: 218-F ESP

ABSTRACTS

Purpose: The purposes of this randomized controlled trial were to: (1) test motivational interviewing (MI) to prevent early childhood caries; and (2) use Poisson regression for data analysis. Methods: A total of 240 South Asian children 6 to 18 months old were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the MI or control condition. Children had a dental exam, and their mothers completed pretested instruments at baseline and 1 and 2 years postintervention. Other covariates that might explain outcomes over and above treatment differences were modeled using Poisson regression. Hazard ratios were produced. Results: Analyses included all participants whenever possible. Poisson regression supported a protective effect of MI (hazard ratio [HR]=0.54 (95%Cl=035-0.84)-that is, the MI group had about o 46% lower rate of dmfs at 2 years than did control children. Similar treatment effect estimates were obtained from models that included, as alternative outcomes, ds, dms, and dmfs, including "white spot lesions." Exploratory analyses revealed that rates of dmfs were higher in children whose mothers had: (1) prechewed their food; (2) been raised in a rural ,environment; and (3) a higher family income (P<.05). Conclusions: A motivational interviewing-style intervention shows promise to promote preventive behaviors in rnothers of young children at high risk for caries. (Pediatr Dent 2007;29:16-22) KEYWORDS: DENTAL CARIES, CHILDREN, PREVENTION, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL, MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING.

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