Abstract
BackgroundEarly childhood caries (ECC) is a marker of social inequalities worldwide because disadvantaged children are more likely to develop caries than their peers. This study aimed to define the ECC prevalence among children living in French-speaking Switzerland, where data on this topic were scarce, and to assess whether ECC was an early marker of social inequalities in this country.MethodsThe study took place between 2010 and 2012 in the primary care facility of Lausanne Children’s Hospital. We clinically screened 856 children from 36 to 71 months old for ECC, and their caregivers (parents or legal guardians) filled in a questionnaire including items on socioeconomic background (education, occupation, income, literacy and immigration status), dental care and dietary habits. Prevalence rates, prevalence ratios and logistic regressions were calculated.ResultsThe overall ECC prevalence was 24.8 %. ECC was less frequent among children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds than children from lower ones (prevalence ratios ≤ 0.58).ConclusionsThis study reported a worrying prevalence rate of ECC among children from 36 to 71 months old, living in French-speaking Switzerland. ECC appears to be a good marker of social inequalities as disadvantaged children, whether from Swiss or immigrant backgrounds, were more likely to have caries than their less disadvantaged peers. Specific preventive interventions regarding ECC are needed for all disadvantaged children, whether immigrants or Swiss.
Highlights
Childhood caries (ECC) is a marker of social inequalities worldwide because disadvantaged children are more likely to develop caries than their peers
Early childhood caries (ECC) can be seen as a marker of social inequalities because, wherever they live in the world, disadvantaged children
With regard to demographics and covariates, there were significant differences in ECC prevalence rates associated with variables related to parental attitudes and behaviours
Summary
Childhood caries (ECC) is a marker of social inequalities worldwide because disadvantaged children are more likely to develop caries than their peers. This study aimed to define the ECC prevalence among children living in French-speaking Switzerland, where data on this topic were scarce, and to assess whether ECC was an early marker of social inequalities in this country. Childhood caries (ECC) is a major health concern worldwide [1, 2]. Despite being largely preventable with good oral health behaviours (e.g., regular dental visits and tooth brushing and using fluoridated toothpaste) and nutritional habits (e.g., low sugar intake, limited night-time bottle-feeding, no sharing of eating utensils and using fluoridated salt or water), ECC remains one of the most common childhood diseases [6, 9,10,11]. ECC can be seen as a marker of social inequalities because, wherever they live in the world, disadvantaged children
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