Abstract：
Purpose: To analyze the cariogenicity of meals served in a pre-kindergarten program and its potential influence on early childhood caries (ECC) risk in socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Methods: This study examined 123 school-provided meals over 43 days at the United Nation Childhood Development Center, part of the Oakland Unified School District pre-kindergarten program. Using cariogenicity indices developed by Evans et al., all items served were assessed for the cariogenic potential of both food and beverages. Results: The mean daily cariogenicity scores were 6.57±1.3 (standard deviation) for food and 2.89±0.78 for beverages. Breakfast foods were significantly more cariogenic than those served for lunch or supper (P<0.05). The mean daily calorie intake was 1,459±336, with lunch containing statistically higher calorie items compared to supper (P<0.05). While liquids may not significantly contribute to caries risk, breakfast foods emerged as a potential concern. Conclusions: This study\'s findings suggest that the food provided in school meals, particularly breakfast items, may impact early childhood caries risk among socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Given the prevalence of ECC and its societal burden, integrating assessments of food and beverage cariogenicity into school meal planning could be instrumental in mitigating ECC incidence. Collaboration between the United States Department of Agriculture and school districts in considering the cariogenic potential of foods may contribute to improved oral health outcomes in early childhood.
摘要：
目的：分析幼儿园前计划中提供的膳食的致癌性及其对社会经济弱势儿童的早期龋齿（ECC）风险的潜在影响。方法：这项研究在联合国儿童发展中心检查了超过43天的123份学校提供的膳食，奥克兰统一学区幼儿园计划的一部分。使用Evans等人开发的致龋指数。,对所供应的所有项目进行了食品和饮料的致龋潜力评估.结果：食品的平均每日致龋评分为6.57±1.3（标准偏差），饮料的平均每日致龋评分为2.89±0.78。早餐食品的致龋作用明显高于午餐或晚餐（P<0.05）。平均每日卡路里摄入量为1,459±336，与晚餐相比，午餐的卡路里含量具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。虽然液体可能不会显著增加龋齿风险，早餐食品成为一个潜在的问题。结论：这项研究的结果表明，学校膳食中提供的食物，特别是早餐，可能会影响社会经济弱势儿童的早期龋齿风险。鉴于ECC的流行及其社会负担，将食品和饮料致龋性评估纳入学校膳食计划可能有助于降低ECC发生率。美国农业部和学区在考虑食物的致龋潜力方面的合作可能有助于改善儿童早期的口腔健康结果。
