Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8, 4284-4299; doi:10.3390/ijerph8114284 OPEN ACCESS
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ISSN 1660-4601 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Article
Association Between Socioeconomic Factors and the Choice of Dentifrice and Fluoride Intake by Children Carolina Castro Martins 1, Maria José Oliveira 2, Isabela Almeida Pordeus 1, Jaime Aparecido Cury 3 and Saul Martins Paiva 1,* 1
2
3
Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Av. Antônio Carlos, Minas Gerais 6627, Brazil; E-Mails:
[email protected] (C.C.M.);
[email protected] (I.A.P.) Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, State University of Montes Claros, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Vila Mauricéia, Montes Claros, Brazil; E-Mail:
[email protected] Department of Biochemistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Limeira 901, Piracicaba, Brazil; E-Mail:
[email protected]
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel./Fax: +55-31-3409-2470. Received: 11 October 2011; in revised form: 7 November 2011 / Accepted: 8 November 2011 / Published: 10 November 2011
Abstract: It is questionable whether socioeconomic factors influence the choice of marketed children’s dentifrices and whether these products are associated with greater fluoride (F) intake in children. The present cross-sectional study involving 197 children (mean age: 40.98 ± 6.62 months) was carried out in Montes Claros, Brazil. Parents completed a questionnaire on socioeconomic status and the tooth brushing habits of their children. The children brushed their teeth and saliva residues were collected for F analysis. F intake from dentifrice was determined with an ion-specific electrode. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to test whether the type of dentifrice (children’s or family) and F dose (
