Sammanfattning
The objective was to describe caries development from two to five years in children having the
first dental visit at two years of age. Further, associations between national background, dental
health and oral health behaviour at two years and caries at five years of age were analysed. The
study population consisted of 211 children followed from two to five years of age. Caries experience,
the presence of dental plaque and anamnestic information were recorded at the clinical
examinations. Data were cross-tabulated and tested with Chi square statistics. At two years of age,
7% of the children had visible dental plaque and 7% had caries. Half of the children (56%) had their
teeth brushed twice daily, 18% were offered sugary snacks daily, and 23% offered sugary drinks at
night. At five years of age the proportion of children having caries experience had increased to 29%.
Non-western background, tooth brushing less than twice daily and being offered sugary snacks daily
at two years were related to caries development from two to five years. Dental examination and
individualized caries prevention from two years of age did not prevent caries development from two
to five years of age.