Abstract
AimTo determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and its risk factors in children of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.Study designA sample of 1,897 children between 24 and 71 months of age based on stratified cluster random sampling were clinically examined for dental caries using mouth mirror under day light. The parents/caregivers of each child were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using independent sample Student’s t-test and chi-square test.ResultsOut of the total 1,897 children, 796 were affected with ECC showing an overall prevalence of 41.9%, with boys showing a higher prevalence rate of 44.8% compared to girls (39.9%). Statistically significant correlations were found between ECC and consumption of sugary snacks (p < 0.0001) and mouth rinsing habit (p < 0.001).ConclusionA higher prevalence of ECC was observed and most of the teeth were not restored.How to cite this articleKoya S, Ravichandra KS, Arunkumar VA, Sahana S, Pushpalatha HM. Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in Children of West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, South India: An Epidemiological Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(3):251-255.
Highlights
Dental caries affects humans of all ages across the world and the complex multifactorial etiology associated with its initiation and progression makes it difficult to eradicate.[1,2] Dental caries in young children has a unique pattern and poses entirely new challenges
Out of the total 1,897 children, 796 were affected with early childhood caries (ECC) showing an overall prevalence of 41.9%, with boys showing a higher prevalence rate of 44.8% compared to girls (39.9%)
The present study showed high correlation between ECC and the cariogenicity of diet, which was assessed by measuring the sweet score which is in line with several earlier studies.[12,15]
Summary
Dental caries affects humans of all ages across the world and the complex multifactorial etiology associated with its initiation and progression makes it difficult to eradicate.[1,2] Dental caries in young children has a unique pattern and poses entirely new challenges It is the singlemost common chronic childhood disease and is five times more frequent than asthma and seven times than hay fever. Since 1962, a variety of terms have been used to describe caries in young children, including the terms baby bottle tooth decay, nursing bottle syndrome, bottle mouth caries, nursing caries, rampant caries, nursing bottle mouth, milk bottle syndrome, breast milk tooth decay, maternally derived Streptococcus mutans disease (MDSMD) and faciolingual pattern of decay and about 106 factors have been associated with its etiology.[4] To standardize the terminology and to better represent the multifactorial etiology, the term early childhood caries (ECC)* has been recommended to describe any form of caries in infants and preschool children
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
