Abstract
BackgroundPreschool years are a critical period in the development of a healthy child. The consequences of poor oral health in preschool children reach beyond dental problems, with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) being associated with overall systematic health as well as one’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its impacts on the OHRQoL in a sample of preschool children in Kisarawe.MethodsA cross-sectional based study was conducted in 2017. A total of 1106 preschool children completed a face-to-face interview, using a translated Kiswahili version of the Michigan Oral Health-related Quality of Life Scale (MOHRQoL) –Child Version (2003), and underwent clinical oral examination using WHO (1997) criteria.ResultsThe decayed component was the most prevalent (dft = 2.08) and the Significant Caries Index (SiC) was 5.54 double of the (dft), showing polarization of dental caries in the studied population. After adjusting for appropriate covariates, preschool children of age 5 and 6 years old were more likely to have decayed tooth [Adjusted OR = 3.02, (95% CI =2.01–4.54)] and [Adjusted OR = 2.23, (95% CI = 1.55–3.20)] respectively. Preschool children without visible plaque on the buccal surface of upper anterior teeth were less likely to have decayed teeth [Adjusted OR = 0.21, (95% CI = 0.09–0.45)]. Regarding measurements of oral health-related quality of life using the MOHRQoL, only preschool children who reported on ‘do your teeth hurt you now?’ and ‘do kids make fun of your teeth?’ were more likely to have a decayed tooth [Adjusted OR = 1.74, (95% CI = 1.12–2.71)] and [Adjusted OR = 1.87, (95% CI = 1.11–3.15)], respectively.ConclusionFindings from this study suggest that dental caries affects a significant portion of preschool children and, was associated with poor oral hygiene. The overall impacts of dental caries prevalence to OHRQoL were low in this sample of preschool children. Children having caries (independent variable) were shown to report more frequently that ‘do your teeth hurt you now?’ and ‘do kids make fun of your teeth?’ were more likely to have a decayed tooth among preschool children in Kisarawe, Tanzania.
Highlights
Preschool years are a critical period in the development of a healthy child
Detailed information regarding the prevalence of dental caries and its impacts on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) provides a valuable tool in the planning, implementation and evaluation of oral health promotion programs
Such evidence is rare when it comes to preschool children in Tanzania
Summary
Preschool years are a critical period in the development of a healthy child. The consequences of poor oral health in preschool children reach beyond dental problems, with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) being associated with overall systematic health as well as one’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its impacts on the OHRQoL in a sample of preschool children in Kisarawe. Despite the decline in the prevalence of dental caries in children in western countries, caries in preschool children remains a major problem in both developed and developing countries [1]. Dental caries is a common infectious disease, where acid-producing bacteria, known as Mutans Streptococci, live in the tissues of the mouth and metabolize sugars. Previous research has identified a range of risk factors for developing dental caries to preschool children that involves a complex interaction of biological, social and economic factors, not dissimilar to factors that increase the susceptibility of developing caries at later life stages [1,2,3]
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