Association of parental-reported vitamin D supplementation with dental caries of 3-year-old children in Poland: a cross-sectional study

Objective The study aimed to assess the association between parental-reported vitamin D supplementation and caries in a national sample of 3-year-olds in Poland. Materials and methods A total of 1900 children, representing all provinces of Poland, were invited. The questionnaires concerned vitamin D supplementation, socio-demographics, and oral health behaviours. Based on dental examination, caries scores (dmft/dmfs), prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and severe ECC (S-ECC) were calculated. The Spearman's correlation, linear regression and logistic regression were used to assess the association between various factors and caries (p < 0.05). Results A total of 1638 children were tested. Of this number, 99.1% infants were supplemented with vitamin D. Supplementation had been continued seasonally in 55.2% children. ECC/S-ECC prevalence were significantly lower in children receiving vitamin D (ECC 38.3% vs. 44.7%, OR = 0.77; S-ECC 20.5% vs. 27.1%, OR = 0.69; p < 0.05). Mean dmft/dmfs were lower in those with supplementation (1.54 +/- 2.72 vs. 2.24 +/- 3.55; 2.40 +/- 5.56 vs. 3.72 +/- 7.56, respectively; p < 0.001). After controlling for confounding factors, supplementation was not significantly associated with caries; only dt/ds were still associated. Maternal education, sweetened beverages before bedtime, bottle use were significantly associated with S-ECC. Conclusions Lower caries prevalence was observed in those with vitamin D supplementation. The association between parental-reported vitamin D and ECC/S-ECC was not significant in Polish children. Decayed teeth and supplementation were still associated. Dietary habits can modify the association with caries.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate the association between parental-reported vitamin D supplementation and caries in 3-year-old children in Poland. Results showed that children receiving vitamin D supplementation had lower prevalence of ECC/S-ECC and lower mean dmft/dmfs scores. However, after controlling for confounding factors, the association between supplementation and caries was not significant.