This month’s issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology contains results of a study to check out microbial communities found in the mouths of cavity-prone kids and their dentally immaculate peers. Yihong Hi and colleagues looked at total microbial genomic DNA using DGGE, rather than typical cultivation methods that aren't effective for bacteria found in saliva and dental plaque. Check out the report to learn more about the molecular profiles that typify cavity-associated bacterial populations in kids.