[The falls not far from the tree. Occurrence of dental caries among 3 year-old children in relation to their parents' background].

113 children 3 years of age, living in a rural community in Norway, were examined. 59% of the children were born in 1970 and examined in 1973, the remaining were born in 1971 and examined in 1974. The caries experience was described by caries scores based on 1 point for each decayed tooth and 2 points for each root. 51% of the children were caries-free, 26% had 1-4 caries scores, and 24% had 5 or more caries scores. The dental health of the children born in 1971 was better than that of children born in 1970, a finding which hardly could be ascribed to encreasing use of fluorides only. There was a significant association between the childrens' caries experience and their age at the examination, and particularly with their social background. The treatment pattern and the oral health habits of their parents, which in turn were dependent on social background, had conceivably an early and distinct influence on the dental health of their children.