Assessing Risks of Early Childhood Caries in Primary Care Practice Using Electronic Health Records and Neighborhood Data.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a persistent public health challenge, affecting more than 56% of US toddlers and preschool-aged children. Despite this, ECC is largely preventable with routine oral hygiene practices, diet, and application of topical fluoride.

Objective

This study assessed the utilization of preventive oral health care in primary care practices and evaluated the variation in patient characteristic and geographic disparities.

Design

We conducted a retrospective study using electronic health records (EHRs) over a 2-year period. Patients' home addresses were geocoded and linked to census-based neighborhood statistics and fluoridated water accessibility. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to assess the risk of ECC in patients with fluori

SUBMITTER: Tuan WJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9897270 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar-Apr 01

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature