Determine whether the establishment of Streptococcus mutans in infants can be prevented by reducing the population of S.mutans in mothers during the time when their infants' primary teeth erupt. Because S. mutans is closely associated withdental caries in humans, prevention of transmission of this organism to susceptible infants may offer a useful approach to preventing the disease.

Project Start
1984-06-01
Project End
1988-03-31
Budget Start
1985-06-07
Budget End
1986-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry/Oral Hygn
DUNS #
004514360
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Caufield, P W; Cutter, G R; Dasanayake, A P (1993) Initial acquisition of mutans streptococci by infants: evidence for a discrete window of infectivity. J Dent Res 72:37-45
Dasanayake, A P; Caufield, P W; Cutter, G R et al. (1993) Transmission of mutans streptococci to infants following short term application of an iodine-NaF solution to mothers' dentition. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 21:136-42