Prevalence of early childhood caries, risk factors and nutritional status among 3-5-year-old preschool children in Kisarawe, Tanzania.

Lorna C. Carneiro,Ray M. Masumo,Ove A. Peters,Tumaini S. Ndekero

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0247240

Abstract

Early childhood dental caries (ECC), a serious public health problem lacks information on the association between ECC, risk factors and nutritional status among children in Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECC, risk factors and nutritional status among 3-5-year-old preschool children and to assess its correlation with the form, visible plaque scores in upper anterior teeth, total sugar exposure, anthropometric measures, and socio demographic attributes. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 831 children registered in public preschools in Kisarawe District. Assessment of ECC used the WHO (2013) criteria and anthropometric measures used the WHO Child Growth Standards (2006). Structured questionnaires were completed by children's parents through an interview. Collected information on socio-demographic attributes including oral hygiene and sugar exposure to their children was analyzed. Only 459 children (55.2%) were recognized as caries-free. Dental caries experience in terms of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) index was 2.51. Children with visible plaque were the majority (56.1%). The dmft score index was negatively and significantly associated with weight-for-age z-score [Coefficient: -0.11 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.11)] and positively significantly associated with visible plaque score index [Coefficient: 0.16 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.52)] and total sugar exposure [Coefficient: 0.19 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.38)] in the adjusted model. The prevalence of underweight was 4.2% [95% CI: (3.0-5.8)] and severe underweight was 0.2% [95% CI: (0.1-0.9)] while prevalence of stunting was 1.6% [95% CI: (0.9-2.7)] and severe stunting was 0.4% [95% CI: (0.1-1.1)]. This study demonstrated a significant negative relationship between ECC and children's anthropometric measures indicated by weight-for-age, and positive relationship with sugar exposure and poor oral hygiene indicated by visible plaque on upper anterior teeth. Controlling risk factors will reduce the occurrence of ECC thereby catering for a healthy population of well-nourished children.

Highlights

Childhood Caries (ECC) to 3–5 years old is a major public health concern in most European countries and the USA and in disadvantaged communities in both developing and industrialized countries [1,2]
The dmft score index was negatively and significantly associated with weight-for-age z-score [Coefficient: -0.11] and positively significantly associated with visible plaque score index [Coefficient: 0.16] and total sugar exposure [Coefficient: 0.19] in the adjusted model
This study demonstrated a significant negative relationship between Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and children’s anthropometric measures indicated by weight-for-age, and positive relationship with sugar exposure and poor oral hygiene indicated by visible plaque on upper anterior teeth

Summary

Introduction

Childhood Caries (ECC) to 3–5 years old is a major public health concern in most European countries and the USA and in disadvantaged communities in both developing and industrialized countries [1,2]. Preschool children with ECC, if left untreated, might experience dental pain leading to avoidance of certain types of foods which might interfere adversely with their nutritional status [7,9]. Childhood dental caries (ECC), a serious public health problem lacks information on the association between ECC, risk factors and nutritional status among children in Tanzania. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECC, risk factors and nutritional status among 3-5-year-old preschool children and to assess its correlation with the form, visible plaque scores in upper anterior teeth, total sugar exposure, anthropometric measures, and socio demographic attributes

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion