Statistical Studies on Daily Habits in relation to Caries Prevalence by PartialCorrelation Coefficient Method

Abstract

Statistical studies on children with rampant caries were analysed in relation to daily habits. A partial correlation coefficient method was employed for these studies, and the work was done in the rural areas of Hokkaido. Six daily habits were selected and statistically analysed. This was also extended to bacteriological research work and longitudinal cohort analysis, which supported the partial correlation coefficient method.
The results were as follows:
1. Milk intake was associated with caries inhibitory factor in both anterior and posterior regions. 2. Intake of sweetened beverages affected extremely caries incidence on both anterior and posterior teeth, and this intake was also related to the severity of caries. 3. Intake of sweets demonstrated strongly a caries conducive factor. It was related to an incidence of anterior teeth caries and a severity of posterior teeth caries as well. 4. Caries conducive factors were studied and compared with intake of sweetened beverages and sweets intake in relation to effectiveness of caries incidence. Caries conducive factors were significantly demonstrated from sweetened beverages as far as the dmft of total regions and incidence of anterior teeth caries were concerned. Sweet were more associated with caries conducive factors than sweetened beverages from the view-point of caries severity in molar caries. 5. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of snacks and caries prevalence. 6. There was no significant influence on caries inhibition by brushing of children. 7. Brushing by the mother showed an evidence of caries inhibition in both of anterior and posterior regions, and of severity in molar caries as well. 8. Statistical analysis, using the partial correlation coefficient method were supported by longitudinal analysis of cohort study. Moreover, the cohort study showed the possibility of rampant caries inhibition by favorable changes of daily habits. 9. Total microbial counts were measures, which included Str. mutans in dental plaque of children. Caries conducive effectiveness of daily habits from the standpoint of bacteriological study was also proved. Moreover, the results of these studies were also supported by the caries activity test after 48 hours (CARIOSTAT).