21
Volume2 Issue4
|
N
ews and
E
vents
The1998–2015QuebecLongitudinalStudyofChild
Development (QLSCD)aims toadvance theunderstanding
ofchilddevelopmentand the factors that influence the social
andacademic spheresof achild’s life.The study identified
sociodemographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, andbehavioural
determinantsofpediatricoralhealth.
“Wehavebeenconducting theanalyses since thechildrenwere5monthsold,which is
oftenbefore theeruptionof teethand theappearanceof thefirst problems,” says
Dr. GinetteVeilleux, QLSCDassociate researcher anddental advisor for theHealthand
Social ServicesAgencyofMontreal. “This studyprovidesuswithdataon the trajectories
of thedental habitsof thesechildren.” Theoral health status andhabitsof 1286 kidswere
assessedeveryyear between the time theywere5monthsoldand8yearsold.
Age
70%of 5-month-oldchildren
whosemotherwas less than
25yearsoldhad toothdecay
byage8, compared to51%of
childrenwhosemotherwas
25yearsoldorolder.
Some studies suggest
that youngermothers
mightnotbeaswell
prepared tocare for
childrenor interactwith
difficult kids, or initiate
preventivemeasures
suchas toothbrushing
and limited sugar intake.*
Education
71%of childrenwhosemother
didn’thaveahigh school
diplomahad toothdecayby
age8, compared to46%of
thosewhosemotherhada
post-secondarydiploma.
Some studies suggest that
educationhasagreater
influenceonbehaviour than
incomeandemployment.*
Others suggest that lower
educational attainments could
hinderone’sability toprocess
informationand toadopt
health-related
behaviours.*
Familyunit
Theabilityofparents in
supervising their child’s
hygiene routinealsoplayed
a role incariesdevelopment.
68%of children raisedby
a singlemotherhad tooth
decaybyage8, compared to
54%of those raisedbyboth
parents.
Similarly, 62%of
third-bornchildren
had toothdecaybyage8,
compared to54%of first- and
second-bornkids.
THEFACEOFTOOTH
DECAY
AMONGQUEBEC
CHILDREN
Results froma
longitudinal study titled
“IAm, I’ll Be” show that
55% of childrenborn in
Quebec in1997–98had
toothdecay by the time
theywere 8 years old.
Mother
5months
toage8
