Purpose of the study: The purpose of this feasibility study is to understand the relationship between the oral microbiota of children and tooth brushing behavior.
Subject: Convenience sample of approximately 20 participant children aged 7-12 years attending a community dental clinic, including both genders and from different socioeconomic status, and 94 oral microbiota samples.
Research Design: This study is an observational study.
Procedure: The recruitment site was a community dental clinic. Participants were screened based on the eligibility criteria. Parental consent and child assent was obtained. The parent completed a demographic questionnaire, and the child completed the other questionnaires. Research team members collected child oral specimens and dental records.
Instrument: Two questionnaires used to collect information on demographics and oral health behavior. Dental record and child oral swabs collected for oral health and oral microbiota information, respectively.
Data analysis: PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA conducted to analyze oral microbiota samples. Descriptive statistics used to characterize demographics and main variables. Pearson’s correlations and linear regression analysis was used to look for associations between microbiota content and tooth brushing behavior to address research questions.
Findings: The proportion of children in this study brush their teeth once or twice a day was 48.3%. The composition of the oral microbiota was determined at six distinct mouth sites such as upper and lower palates, upper and lower teeth, right and left cheeks for each participant, and the positive correlation between oral microbiota and tooth brushing.