Abstract

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases of childhood. It represents a significant disease burden with long-term consequences for a child's health and well-being. Primary health care providers (pediatricians, family physicians, pediatric nurses) are the first point of contact for parents for any child health-related issues as they see them repeatedly in the first few years of life for vaccinations and "well-baby" visits. However, their awareness regarding caries in primary dentition and its complications may be limited. This article has summarized important information on ECC, focusing on the health care provider's role in its early diagnosis and prevention.

Highlights

  • REVIEW ARTICLESaniya Mariam[1], Nishath Ahmed Liyakat[2], Vidya Kanamkote Narayanan[3], Sridhar Kalyanasundaram[4], and Kandamaran Krishnamurthy[5]

  • Dental caries in the primary dentition is the most common chronic disease of early childhood and is usually called Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

  • ECC is diagnosed if a child under the age of 6 years presents with one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces

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Summary

REVIEW ARTICLE

Saniya Mariam[1], Nishath Ahmed Liyakat[2], Vidya Kanamkote Narayanan[3], Sridhar Kalyanasundaram[4], and Kandamaran Krishnamurthy[5]. Childhood Caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases of childhood. It represents a significant disease burden with long-term consequences for a child's health and well-being. Primary health care providers (pediatricians, family physicians, pediatric nurses) are the first point of contact for parents for any child health-related issues as they see them repeatedly in the first few years of life for vaccinations and "well-baby" visits. Their awareness regarding caries in primary dentition and its complications may be limited. This article has summarized important information on ECC, focusing on the health care provider's role in its early diagnosis and prevention

Open Access
Introduction
Prevalence of ECC
Dietary Habits
Low fluoride exposure
Socioeconomic factors
Children with special health care needs
Identification of children at high risk of ECC
Fluoride varnish application
Guidelines for application
Parental Counseling for Prevention of ECC
Oral hygiene measures
When to Refer to a Dentist?
Conclusion
Full Text
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