R Constance Wiener
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between passive tobacco smoke exposure (secondhand and third hand tobacco smoke exposure) and dental caries in Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) ages 0-17 years.
Method: This study used data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health involving 17,901 CSHCN. Telephone survey data were used to determine recent caries experience and passive tobacco smoke exposure (secondhand and third hand tobacco smoke exposure). Recent caries was defined as a positive response to if CSHCN had “decayed teeth or cavities within the past 6 months.” Passive smoke was defined as a positive response to if someone in the household used cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco.
Results: A statistically significant relationship was determined between passive tobacco smoke exposure and recent caries in CSHCN (adjusted odds ratio: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.50; p-value= 0.0352).
Conclusion: A positive independent association of passive tobacco smoke exposure and dental caries was determined in Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN).