Jarvie Journal - College of Dental Medicine - Columbia University

The Journal of the William Jarvie Society
ECC Risk Associated with Dietary Changes in WA Immigrant Families in
the Bronx
Ann Layvey 1 , Burton L. Edelstein 2
1 Columbia-New York Presbyterian Hospital, Residency Program in Pediatric Dentistry, 2 Section of Social and
Behavioral Sciences; both within Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY; * Faculty Mentor
Introduction: Early childhood caries (ECC) is diet-dependent, highly prevalent, and unevenly
distributed with low income, minority, and immigrant children most affected. Caries activity is
environmentally determined by factors including behavioral, dietary, educational, and socioeconomic
characteristics. These factors, which are also affected by culture and acculturation, are of interest to this
investigation. We hypothesize, based on relevant socio-behavioral theory, that acculturation-related
dietary changes made by West African (WA) parents will impact the dental health of their children.
Objective: To develop a theory-based survey to determine whether diet related acculturation impacts
risk for ECC in a population of WA immigrant families in The Bronx, New York City. The survey will
determine: (1) whether acculturation related dietary changes have resulted in increased dietary caries risk
in preschoolers in this community; and (2) WA immigrant parents' knowledge about infant and child oral
health recommendations in the US.
Materials & Methods: The study involves first-generation English-speaking WA immigrant parents of
preschoolers who present to a WA church. Survey questions were developed to test a series of
hypotheses about the potential effect of acculturation on dietary and feeding practices and were informed
by the immigration and cariology literature and by experts in cariogenic diets. 44 WA parents
participated in the study. The survey consisted of 28 questions regarding parental diet pre- and postimmigration,
their children’s diet, their knowledge about children's oral health, and their social and built
environments.
Results & Conclusion: According to this pilot study, dietary related acculturation is least likely to occur
when the WA parent is 22 years or older before immigrating to the United States. In addition, the older
the parent prior to immigrating, the more the parent is likely to begin brushing their child’s teeth at 6
months-1year of age.
Discussion: Studies have shown increased risk for caries in children of different immigrant populations,
for example, Hispanics, due to dietary related acculturation. In this study we hypothesize that dietary
changes in WA parents will impact dental health of their children. Although our findings are not
statistically significant, there appears to be a trend that dietary changes does occurs in this populace
towards a more cariogenic diet. A larger sample size may be needed to detect significance.
Research supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau:
Leadership Training in Pediatric Dentistry Grant T17MC06359
Post-doctoral Training in Pediatric Dentistry Grant D88HP20109
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