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Meta-Analysis
. 2019 Nov 20;2019(11):CD012155.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012155.pub2.

Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood caries

Elisha Riggs  1   2 , Nicky Kilpatrick  3   4   5 , Linda Slack-Smith  6 , Barbara Chadwick  7 , Jane Yelland  1   2 , M S Muthu  8   9 , Judith C Gomersall  10   11
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood caries

Elisha Riggs et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Update in

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and is associated with adverse health and economic consequences for infants and their families. Socioeconomically disadvantaged children have a higher risk of early childhood caries (ECC).

Objectives: To assess the effects of interventions with pregnant women, new mothers or other primary caregivers of infants in the first year of life, for preventing ECC (from birth to six years of age).

Search methods: Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (to 14 January 2019), Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (to 22 January 2019), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Register of Studies, to 14 January 2019), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 14 January 2019), Embase Ovid (1980 to 14 January 2019) and CINAHL EBSCO (1937 to 14 January 2019). The US National Institutes of Health Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for ongoing trials. No restrictions were placed on language or publication status.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing one or more interventions with pregnant women, mothers, or other caregivers of infants in the first year of life (intervention types included clinical, oral health education/promotion such as hygiene education, breastfeeding and other dietary advice, and policy or health service), versus standard care or placebo or another intervention. For inclusion, trials had to report at least one caries outcome.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed trial eligibility, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and assessed certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.

Main results: We included 17 RCTs (4 cluster-randomised), involving 23,732 caregivers (mainly mothers) and their children. Eleven RCTs assessed four oral health education/promotion interventions against standard care: child diet advice, child diet and feeding practice advice, breastfeeding promotion and support, and oral hygiene with child diet and feeding practice advice. Six trials assessed clinical interventions in mother's dentition, four trials chlorhexidine (CHX, a commonly prescribed antiseptic agent) or iodine-NaF application and prophylaxis versus placebo, and two trials xylitol against CHX or CHX + xylitol. At most, three trials (maximum of 1148 children and 130 mothers) contributed data to any comparison. For many trials, risk of bias was judged unclear due to lack of methodological details reported, and there was high risk of attrition bias in some trials. None of the included trials indicated receiving funding that is likely to have influenced their results. The trials were performed in high-, middle- and low-income countries. In nine trials, participants were socioeconomically disadvantaged. For child diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, we observed a probable 15 per cent reduced risk of caries presence in primary teeth with the intervention (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97; 3 trials; 782 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and there may be a lower mean dmfs (decayed, missing, filled primary surfaces) score (MD -0.29, 95% CI -0.58 to 0; 2 trials; 757 participants; low-certainty evidence); however, we are uncertain regarding the difference between the groups in mean dmft (decayed, missing, filled teeth) score (MD -0.90, 95% CI -1.85 to 0.05; 1 trial; 340 participants; very low-certainty evidence). For breastfeeding promotion and support versus standard care, we observed that there may be little or no a difference between groups in the risk of caries presence in primary teeth (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.03; 2 trials; 1148 participants; low-certainty evidence), or mean dmft score (MD -0.12, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.36; 2 trials; 652 participants; low-certainty evidence). Dmfs was not reported for this comparison. We are uncertain whether child diet advice only compared with standard care reduces risk of caries presence in primary teeth (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.34 to 3.37; 1 trial; 148 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Dmfs and dmft were not reported for this comparison. For oral hygiene, child diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, we observed little or no reduced risk of caries presence in primary teeth (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10; 2 trials; 365 participants; low-certainty evidence), and are uncertain regarding difference between the groups in mean dmfs score (MD -0.99, 95% CI -2.45 to 0.47; 1 trial; 187 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and dmft score (MD -0.30, 95% CI -0.96 to 0.36; 1 trial; 187 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We observed there may be little or no difference in risk of caries presence in primary teeth between antimicrobial and placebo treatment in mother's dentition (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.19; 3 trials; 479 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No trials assessing this comparison reported dmfs or dmft. For xylitol compared with CHX antimicrobial treatment, we observed there may be a lower mean dmft score with xylitol (MD -2.39; 95% CI -4.10 to -0.68; 1 trial, 113 participants; low-certainty evidence); however, we are uncertain regarding the difference between groups in caries presence in primary teeth (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.39; 1 trial, 96 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Neither trial evaluating this comparison reported dmfs. No trials assessed a health policy or service intervention.

Authors' conclusions: Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that providing advice on diet and feeding to pregnant women, mothers or other caregivers with children up to the age of one year probably leads to a slightly reduced risk of early childhood caries (ECC). The remaining evidence is low to very low certainty and is insufficient for determining which, if any, other interventions types and features may be effective for preventing ECC. Large, high-quality RCTs of oral health education/promotion, clinical, and policy and service access interventions, are warranted to determine effects and relative effects of different interventions and inform practice. We have identified 12 studies currently in progress. Those designing future studies should describe the intervention components, setting and participants, consider if and how effects are modified by intervention features and participant characteristics, and adopt a consistent approach to measuring and reporting ECC.

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Conflict of interest statement

Elisha Riggs: none to declare Nicky Kilpatrick: none to declare Linda Slack‐Smith: none to declare Barbara Chadwick: none to declare Jane Yelland: none to declare Murugan Muthu: none to declare Judith Gomersall: none to declare

Figures

1
1
Results of search and study selection for inclusion in the review
2
2
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
3
3
Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Diet and feeding practice advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 1 Caries presence in primary teeth.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Diet and feeding practice advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 2 dmfs index.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Diet and feeding practice advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 3 dmft index.
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Diet and feeding practice advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 4 d1 + mfs ≥ 5.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Breastfeeding promotion and support versus standard care, Outcome 1 Caries presence in primary teeth.
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Breastfeeding promotion and support versus standard care, Outcome 2 dmft index.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Dietary advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 1 Caries presence in primary teeth.
3.3
3.3. Analysis
Comparison 3 Dietary advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 3 Plaque in dentition of mothers: presence of sub‐ and supragingival calculus.
3.4
3.4. Analysis
Comparison 3 Dietary advice for infants and young children versus standard care, Outcome 4 Mother gingival health: mild or moderate bone loss.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Oral hygiene, diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, Outcome 1 Caries presence in primary teeth.
4.2
4.2. Analysis
Comparison 4 Oral hygiene, diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, Outcome 2 dmfs index.
4.3
4.3. Analysis
Comparison 4 Oral hygiene, diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, Outcome 3 dmft index.
4.4
4.4. Analysis
Comparison 4 Oral hygiene, diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, Outcome 4 SiC30 index.
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5 Antimicrobial treatment (CHX or iodine‐NaF and prophylaxis) versus placebo, Outcome 1 Caries presence in primary teeth.
5.2
5.2. Analysis
Comparison 5 Antimicrobial treatment (CHX or iodine‐NaF and prophylaxis) versus placebo, Outcome 2 Mother DMFS increment.
5.3
5.3. Analysis
Comparison 5 Antimicrobial treatment (CHX or iodine‐NaF and prophylaxis) versus placebo, Outcome 3 Mother DMFT increment.
6.1
6.1. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 1 Caries presence in primary teeth.
6.2
6.2. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 2 dmft index.
6.3
6.3. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 3 defs (score).
6.4
6.4. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 4 defs (score categories).
6.5
6.5. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 5 Child microbiological presence: mutans streptococci colonisation (any).
6.6
6.6. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 6 Child microbiological presence: mutans streptococci (score categories).
6.7
6.7. Analysis
Comparison 6 Xylitol versus CHX or CHX + xylitol antimicrobial treatment, Outcome 7 Mother microbiological presence: mutans streptococci colonisation (level, CFU/ml).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Kraivaphan 2007 {published data only}
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Leverett 1997 {published data only}
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Lopez 2002 {published data only}
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    1. López NJ, Smith P, Gutierrez J. Periodontal therapy reduces the risk of preterm low birth weight (AADR Abstract Annual Meeting March 7‐10 2001). Journal of Dental Research 2001;80:188, Abstract no: 1223.
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Ma 2017 {published data only}
    1. Ma XH, Xie NN. Application of different biomaterials in the preservation of vital pulp in carious deciduous teeth: a prospective, single‐center, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2017;21:3494‐500.
Macones 2010 {published data only}
    1. Macones GA, Parry S, Nelson DB, Strauss JF, Ludmir J, Cohen AW, et al. Treatment of localized periodontal disease in pregnancy does not reduce the occurrence of preterm birth: results from the Periodontal Infections and Prematurity Study (PIPS). American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2010;202:147.e1‐8. - PubMed
Mohebbi 2009 {published data only}
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Nakai 2010 {published data only}
    1. Nakai Y, Shinga‐Ishihara C, Kaji M, Moriya K, Murakami‐Yamanaka K, Takimura M. Xylitol gum and maternal transmission of Mutans Streptococci. Journal of Dental Research 2010;89(1):56‐60. - PubMed
NCT00719238 {published data only}
    1. NCT00719238. A pilot study to promote maternal and infant oral health. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00719238 (first received 21 July 2008).
NCT01652300 {published data only}
    1. NCT01652300. The effect of oral health education in pregnancy. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01652300 (first received 30 July 2012).
NCT01763138 {published data only}
    1. NCT01763138. Effect of educational intervention in mothers for prevention of caries in their children, a randomized controlled trial. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01763138 (first received 8 January 2013).
NCT02436811 {published data only}
    1. NCT02436811. Oral health literacy and oral education. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02436811 (first received 7 May 2015).
NCT02578966 {published data only}
    1. NCT02578966. Cohort zero caries (CZC): impact of preventive child oral health programs in primary health care. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02578966 (first received 19 October 2015).
NCT03273725 {published data only}
    1. NCT03273725. Maternal vitamin D levels in pregnancy and dental caries in children. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03273725 (first received 6 September 2017).
NCT03478748 {published data only}
    1. NCT03478748. The impact of anticipatory guidance on early childhood caries: a quasi‐experimental study. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03478748 (first received 27 March 2018). - PMC - PubMed
NCT03529500 {published data only}
    1. NCT03529500. Chronic malnutrition and oral health status in children aged one to five years. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03529500 (first received 18 May 2018).
NCT03598972 {published data only}
    1. NCT03598972. The effect of prenatal vitamins on the tooth structure. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03598972 (first received 25 July 2018).
NCT03693443 {published data only}
    1. NCT03693443. Knowledge and behaviour toward early childhood caries. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03693443 (first received 3 October 2018).
Olak 2012 {published data only}
    1. Olak J, Saag M, Vahlberg T, Soderling E, Karjalainen S. Caries prevention with xylitol lozenges in children related to maternal anxiety. A demonstration project. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry 2012;13:64‐9. - PubMed
Plonka 2013 {published data only}
    1. Plonka KA, Pukallus ML, Holcombe TF, Barnett AG, Walsh LJ, Seow WK. Randomized controlled trial: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing a remineralizing paste with an antibacterial gel to prevent early childhood caries. Pediatric Dentistry 2013;35:8‐12. - PubMed
    1. Pukallus ML, Plonka KA, Barnett AG, Walsh LJ, Holcombe TF, Seow WK. A randomised, controlled clinical trial comparing chlorhexidine gel and low‐dose fluoride toothpaste to prevent early childhood caries. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013;23:216‐24 [Erratum in International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013, 23(5):318]. - PubMed
    1. Pukallus ML, Plonka KA, Holcombe TF, Barnett AG, Walsh LJ, Seow WK. A randomized controlled trial of a 10 percent CPP‐ACP cream to reduce mutans streptococci colonization. Pediatric Dentistry 2013;35:550‐5. - PubMed
Ramos‐Gomez 2012 {published data only}
    1. Kopycka‐Kedzierawski Dorota T. Maternal salivary bacterial challenge is associated with oral infection among children and predicts early childhood caries (ECC) incidence in a high‐risk cohort of 36‐month‐old children. Journal of Evidence‐based Dental Practice 2014;14:147‐148 2. - PubMed
    1. NCT00066950. Prevention management model for early childhood caries (MAYA project). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00066950 (first received 8 August 2003).
    1. Ramos‐Gomez F, Chung LH, Gonzalez Beristain R, Santo W, Jue B, Weintraub J, et al. Recruiting and retaining pregnant women from a community health center at the US‐Mexico border for the Mothers and Youth Access clinical trial. Clinical Trials 2008;5:336‐46. - PMC - PubMed
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    1. Stensson M, Koch G, Coric S, Abrahamsson TR, Jenmalm MC, Birkhed D, et al. Oral administration of lactobacillus reuteri during the first year of life reduces caries prevalence in the primary dentition at 9 years of age. Caries Research 2014;48:111‐7. - PubMed
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Weber‐Gasparoni 2013 {published data only}
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    1. Weinstein P, Harrison R, Benton T. Motivating mothers to prevent caries: confirming the beneficial effect of counseling. Journal of the American Dental Association 2006;137:789‐93. - PubMed
    1. Weinstein P, Harrison R, Benton T. Motivating parents to prevent caries in their young children: one‐year findings. Journal of the American Dental Association 2004;135:731‐8. - PubMed
    1. Weinstein P, Milgrom P, Riedy CA, Mancl LA, Garson G, Huebner CE, et al. Treatment fidelity of brief motivational interviewing and health education in a randomized clinical trial to promote dental attendance of low‐income mothers and children: community‐based intergenerational oral health study "Baby Smiles". BMC Oral Health 2014;14:15. - PMC - PubMed
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References to studies awaiting assessment

Batra 2018 {published data only}
    1. Batra M, Shah A, Virtanen J. Integration of oral health in primary health care through motivational interviewing for mothers of young children: a pilot study. Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentisry 2018;36(1):86‐92. - PubMed
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    1. ACTRN12611000111976. Reducing disease burden and health inequalities arising from chronic dental disease among Indigenous children: an early childhood caries intervention. anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12611000111976.aspx (first received 20 December 2010).
    1. Broughton JR, Maipi JT, Person M, Thomson WM, Morgaine KC, Tiakiwai S, et al. Reducing disease burden and health inequalities arising from chronic disease among indigenous children: an early childhood caries intervention in Aotearoa/New Zealand. BMC Public Health 2013; Vol. 13:1177. - PMC - PubMed
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    1. NCT02151916. Preventing early childhood caries in indigenous children: the Baby Teeth Talk study (BTT). clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02151916 (first received 2 June 2014).
Klastersky Genot 1970 {published data only}
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References to ongoing studies

Arrow 2013 {published data only}
    1. ACTRN126110009997954. Early childhood oral health promotion: brief motivational interviewing intervention among parents of new‐born children to reduce early childhood caries. www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12611000997954.aspx (first received 16 September 2011).
    1. Arrow P, Raheb J, Miller M. Brief oral health promotion intervention among parents of young children to reduce early childhood dental decay. BMC Public Health 2013;13:245. - PMC - PubMed
Batliner 2014 {published data only}
    1. Batliner T, Fehringer KA, Tiwari T, Henderson WG, Wilson A, Brega AG, et al. Motivational interviewing with American Indian mothers to prevent early childhood caries: study design and methodology of a randomized control trial. Trials 2014;15:125. - PMC - PubMed
    1. NCT01116726. Promoting behavioral change for oral health in American Indian mothers and children. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01116726 (first received 5 May 2010).
NCT00066040 {published data only}
    1. NCT00066040. Prevention of transmission of bacteria that cause cavities from mothers to their children. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00066040 (first received 5 August 2003).
NCT00067340 {published data only}
    1. NCT00067340. Northwest Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparity project 2: caries transmission prevention in Alaska native infants. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00067340 (first received 20 August 2003).
NCT01038479 {published data only}
    1. NCT01038479. Maternal consumption of xylitol to reduce early childhood decay (MaXED study). clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01038479 (first received 24 December 2009).
NCT01502566 {published data only}
    1. NCT01502566. A cluster‐randomized trial of the effectiveness of an educational intervention in preventing early childhood caries. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01502566 (first received 30 December 2011).
NCT02937194 {published data only}
    1. NCT02937194. Family‐centered oral health promotion for new parents. ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT02937194 (first received 18 October 2016).
NCT03077425 {published data only}
    1. NCT03077425. Obesity and caries in young South Asian children: a common risk factor approach (CHALO). ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT03077425 (first received 13 March 2017).

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