Randomized trial of a photography‐aided behavioural intervention to reduce risk factors for caries and malocclusion in high‐risk infants

• Published in: International journal of dental hygiene 2022-08, Vol.20 (3), p.471-478
• Main Authors: Pereira, Marina B. B., Pereira, Vinícius B. P., Pereira, Vitor B. P., Pereira, Vanessa G. F., Paula, Viviane M. B., Caetano, Aline P. F., Amaral, Waldemar N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast feeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; Children; Dental caries; Dental occlusion; Dentistry; Infants; oral hygiene; Pediatrics; Photography; preventive dentistry; Risk assessment; Risk factors
• ISSN: 1601-5029; 1601-5037
• DOI: 10.1111/idh.12507

Objective To assess the efficacy of a photography‐aided behavioural intervention in reducing risk factors for dental caries and malocclusion in high‐risk infants. Materials and methods In this randomized trial conducted in a maternity hospital, 55 mothers of recently born infants at high risk of developing oral diseases were allocated to either the intervention (n = 28) or usual care (n = 27). The intervention arm received the same usual care plus an enhanced, behaviour‐oriented, photography‐aided, two‐stage (0 and +6 months) educational programme addressing nutritional, behavioural, lifestyle and familial factors that affect child's oral health. The primary outcome was the proportion of children classified as being at a ‘low risk’ of developing dental caries at the age of 12 months using a modified score based on the Caries‐risk Assessment Form of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Secondary outcomes included risk factors for malocclusion, such as duration of exclusive breastfeeding, pacifier use and bottle‐feeding and/or sippy cup usage. Results At 12 months, the proportion of children considered at low risk for dental caries was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to usual care (71% vs 15%, respectively, relative risk = 4.82, 95% confidence interval = 1.89–12.3, p