FINAL REPORT TO FUNDER – ORAL & DENTAL RESEARCH TRUST – Lifecourse determinants of dental caries in three-year-old children: a feasibility study

Background: Birth cohorts, such as Born in Bradford (BiB), provide a unique opportunity to study the influence of socio-economic and environmental factors acting in pregnancy, birth and infancy on the development of dental caries (decay) in later life. Dental epidemiology surveys (DES) are undertaken annually in Bradford for different age groups using a standardised and robust methodology as part of the national dental epidemiology programme. Aim: To explore through data linkage the association of dental caries at three years old with birthweight in a cohort of Bradford children. Design: Parents of children consented to participate in DES had the additional option of consenting for data linkage where their child was also part of BiB. Data linkage, following establish protocols, was undertaken using each child’s unique NHS number. Associations between caries (dmft) and the following variables were investigated: birthweight, ethnicity, gestation, gender, parity, maternal education, deprivation and maternal language. Simple descriptive and exploratory statistical analysis was undertaken Results: From the sample of 152 children examined for the DES in Bradford, 69 parents consented for data linkage. However, only 36 of these 69 children had actually participated in BiB. Six children had caries (dmft >0). There were no statistical associations between any variable and caries. Conclusions: Data linkage and analysis was successfully undertaken between the DES and BiB data sets, with data safely transferred. Almost half the parents who consented for data linkage, inaccurately thought their child was also part of BiB. Alternative approaches need to be explored to accurately recruit children participating in both annual DES and BiB.