Applications:The present invention relates to antibodies, binding portions or probes to the glucosyl-transferase enzyme and uses of these agents for detecting the glucosyltransferase enzyme in a sample for diagnosing dental caries in a patients, or for diagnosing predisposition of a child to early childhood caries.Advantages:An aspect of this invention relates to an immunological kit consisting of an antibody or binding fragment that specifically binds to the glucosyltransferase enzyme and a reaction platform for contacting the antibody to the oral sample in order to detect and diagnose predisposition to early childhood caries. This is advantageous over current diagnostic procedures (e.g. identifying caries lesions after they develop) because it will allow a doctor to screen children for caries risk and refer those at risk to the dentist for institution of preventive procedures.