The relationship between child temperament and early childhood caries

Author(s): Quinone R., Santos RG, Wilson S., Cross H.
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 23:1, 2001
Month, Year: 2001
Major topic: Early Childhood Caries, Temperament
Type of Article: Prospective study using an observational-correlational study design
Main Purpose: The study evaluated the relationship between temperament, like a strong tempered defiant child, and the duration of feeding habits as well as its predictive value in determining the risk for early childhood caries.
Overview of method of research: Fifty-eight healthy children, aged 1- 5 years of age with four maxillary incisors and four maxillary first primary molars were included in the study. All children were examined for the number of carious teeth and the number of carious surfaces. A second evaluator interviewed parents using a demographic survey, and a feeding practice questionnaire which asked if their child was presently being nursed or bottle fed, the duration of feeding, and the time of day that the child was being nursed or bottle fed. Attention was given to night time feeding habits. Lastly the EAS survey for emotionability (being easily distressed), Activity level (energetic), sociability (tendency to make friends) and shyness was given to a parent of the child.
Findings: Demographically, 64% of the children were Native Canadian, and 21% were Caucasian with the remainder either nonspecified or Asian. Most were low to moderate income with the majority of the lower income children representing Native Canadians. The average temperament score was moderately emotional, highly active, social and moderately shy. The average duration of feeding habits was 21.21 months with 72% reporting night time feeding. 76% had decay with 77% of the children with decay being from the Native Canadian population. Lastly the mean number of carious teeth was 3.7. These results show that shyer children and those with a greater duration of feeding habits are risk factors for ECC. However shyness and increased duration of feeding habits are independent predictors of ECC. The authors pointed out some weaknesses of the study as it relates to the data being questionnaire and survey based.
Key points/Summary: Temperament especially strong willed temperament did not predict duration of feeding habits. As noted above, shyness and duration of feeding habits independently predicted ECC levels. Also being a Native Canadian positively predicted ECC as well as low income and improper feeding practices.
Assessment of article: It was a fair article which was bogged down with statistics. The conclusions ended up disputing the hypothesis that stronger temperament correlated with poor feeding habits and thus decay. However, the findings were obvious as it relates to lower socioeconomics and improper feeding habits being risk factors for ECC