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Preliminary observations on the relationship between mutans streptococci and dental caries experience within black, white, and Hispanic families living in Houston, Texas.

An important goal in pediatric dentistry is to decrease the prevalence of dental decay from a very early stage. One factor that increases that rate is the presence of a high number of mutans streptococci (MS) in a child's mouth. Since it is generally known that a child's first contact with the environment is made with family members, specifically the mother, we studied the interrelationships between MS and dental caries experience among a group of children and their parents representing different racial groups. Both clinical and microbiological data were obtained to determine correlations between parent or grandparent and child caries experience and MS. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons between black, white, and Hispanic families were made with respect to caries and microbiological parameters. The Hispanic adults and children tended to have higher caries experience than in the black and white groups. Significant correlations between MS levels and most measures of caries experience (P < 0.05) were observed in children and adults. Although mother-child correlations for caries experience were highly significant (P < 0.01), the mother-child correlation for MS infection levels was low and not statistically significant (P > 0.05).