Introduction

1. Changes in Socioeconomic Disparities in Primary Tooth Caries in the United States: NHANES 1988 to 2004 Takenaka TH*1, Cunha-Cruz J2, Leggott PJ11Department of Pediatric Dentistry; 2Dental Public Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA Introduction Changes in Caries Prevalence Disparities, 1988-2004 Changes in Caries Prevalence, 1988-2004 • The last decade of the century witnessed an increase in dental caries among preschoolers • Striking disparities in oral health continue to exist between certain population subgroups when stratified by age, sex, income, and race/ethnicity • Purpose of this study: To investigate changes in the association between dental caries prevalence of preschoolers and parental income in the United States over the period of 1988-2004. Caries Prevalence, Prevalence Ratio, and Prevalence Difference in Children: United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 Caries prevalence ratios by characteristics in low- and high-SEP children: United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 Materials and Methods • Data source: • NHANES III: 4,801 persons 2-5 years of age • NHANES 1999-2004: 2,735 persons 2-5 years of age • Primary outcome: Dental caries in primary teeth • Main Exposure: Socioeconomic position (SEP) defined as the ratio of reported family income to the federal poverty level (FPL) Low-SEP: income level at or below 133% of the FPL • High-SEP: income level greater than 350% FPL • Covariates: age, gender, race/ethnicity, head of household (HH) nativity, HH education level, primary language spoken at interview, health and dental insurance status, maternal prenatal smoking status, breastfeeding history, time since last dental visit • Statistical Analyses: • Descriptive statistics calculated as percentages • Prevalence, prevalence ratios, and prevalence differences calculated at each time point • Wald F test and t test used to compare prevalence ratios and prevalence differences over time • Level of significance: p < 0.05 * Change was statistically significant p < 0.05 Caries prevalence differences by characteristics in low- and high-SEP children: United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 * Change was statistically significant p < 0.05 Conclusion • There has been no significant change in the disparity in primary tooth caries based on socioeconomic position in preschool-aged children in the last two decades. • The effect of socioeconomic position on caries prevalence in the very young remains significant • There was a strong association between the selected sociodemographic/lifestyle factors and the disparity in caries prevalence in this age group at each time point, but these variables did not affect the disparity over time Contact Tracy H Takenaka, DDS tracyt33@u.washington.edu 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 357136, HSC B-242 Seattle, WA 98195 * Change was statistically significant p < 0.05