[Caries morbidity in infants and preschool children with reference to social factors of influence].

Abstract

The caries frequency of 653 children between 2-4 years of age was followed up over 2 years. Only very few of two year old children showed a relative high incidence of caries. Among the 4 year old children the incidence of caries was particularly high. Caries is more prevalent among children who stay at home than among those attending créches. The difference is due to the absence or irregular use of fluoride tablets, to inadequate cleaning of teeth and a high consumption of sweets in the families. Pre-school children without siblings, and those whose parents are working in shifts, should more often undergo stomatological supervision because of their greater risk suspectibility to caries.