Dental caries (decay) is a significant early childhood chronic disease in Australia, mainly affecting disadvantaged communities and adversely impacting physical, social and emotional wellbeing. This PhD is nested within the VicGen birth cohort, following influences on tooth decay of 450 infants to age 7. This mixed-methods study will examine the relationship between early childhood caries and obesity, exploring caregivers’ views on these factors and translation to policy and practice.
A Comprehensive Approach To Solutions For Child Oral Health, Wellbeing And Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,946.00
Summary
Tooth decay in young children is one of the most common chronic diseases of early childhood. The VicGen birth cohort study has been following more than 400 children, since birth, to look at a range of factors that influence the development of tooth decay. This PhD will use data from the cohort and be one of the first studies to look at the health of children’s teeth between birth and five years of age. Findings from this work will inform strategies to help prevent children developing tooth decay