Multilevel generalised linear modelling and competing risks multistate survival analysis modelling of childhood caries

There has been an ongoing debate regarding appropriate strategies for the management of carious primary teeth. Studies appear to provide evidence that both selective, symptom-based interventions and traditional restorative strategies are advantageous. However, the analysis and quantification of childhood caries may be affected by clustering of data, and the concurrent risk of exfoliation of primary teeth.
Multilevel generalised linear models for the occurrence of primary caries were derived utilising data from a cohort study of 2,654 children aged 4-5 years at baseline undertaken 1999-2003. These models, which assumed underlying hierarchies with clustering at child, tooth and surface levels, identified higher rates of caries occurrence in primary molar teeth to be associated with boys, poor socio-economic background, lack of water fluoridation, 2nd mandibular molars and occlusal surfaces.
Significant risk factors identified were carried forward for inclusion in parametric competing risks multivariate multilevel survival models, utilising cohort study data augmented with Dental Practice Board treatment data. Analysis of sound teeth and surfaces found the concurrent risk of exfoliation did not alter inferences of parameter significance, but restricted the extent of caries occurrence and reduced distinction in survival experience between different types of teeth and surfaces in children from different demographic backgrounds.
Further competing risks survival models were derived to analyse the same teeth and surfaces in the untreated carious and filled states, to assess the effect of restorative treatment on subsequent exfoliation and extraction. Survival rates extrapolated to 14 years without further treatment for filled molar teeth were approximately double those of untreated teeth. Time of caries occurrence and treatment also affected survival, with later occurrence or treatment of caries associated with higher survival rates. However, early filling of carious teeth resulted in the greatest reductions in the expected time that decay is present in the mouth.