Effects of Education on Plaque Acid and Mutans Streptococci

Targeting education to expectant and new mothers is anticipated to aid caries prevention in children through reducing maternal mutans streptococci (MS) levels and transmission by improving oral hygiene.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether oral health education leads to reduction in mothers' plaque acid and MS levels.

Methods: Identical 30 minute verbal dental education sessions were administered to two case groups; pregnant mothers (n = 54) and new mothers (n = 64), in groups (size 4-20 mothers). The control group of pregnant mothers pre-registering for birthing suite (n= 310) received no dental education.

Plaque and salivary samples and plaque scores were obtained from 428 mothers at initial contact at either an antenatal clinic or community child health clinics. Plaque samples were taken from the interproximal region of the mandibular first molar and second premolar and assessed for acids levels using Plaque-Check (GC International, Japan). MS levels were assessed using CRT-Bacteria (Ivoclar-Vivadent, Liechtenstein). A second sample was obtained from pregnant mothers within 1-30 days of the child's birth. For new mothers, a second plaque sample was obtained when their child reached 6 months of age (n=64).

Results: The proportion of subjects with post-education reduction in MS levels and reduction in plaque acid levels was similar in all groups (P=0.48, P=1.0). However, both antenatal and new parent education groups had smaller percentages of participants who showed increases in MS levels compared to the control groups (26% and 20% respectively vs 31%).

A statistically significant correlation was found between plaque acid levels and plaque scores (Correlation= 0.40), P<0.0001). No statistical significance was noted in the correlation between MS levels and plaque scores nor between MS and plaque acid scores.

Conclusion: A one-time education session for expectant and new mothers was associated with a slight, but not statistically significant reduction in the MS levels. A strong correlation was shown between plaque acid levels and plaque scores.

The research was funded by Queensland Health, Southside Health Service District, Logan-Beaudesert Area, Oral Health Program. The support of GC Asia Dental Pte Ltd, Curaden Swiss, Colgate-Palmolive Pty Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.