Caries Experience In Preschool Children Research Articles

Correlation between Parents' Knowledge of Calcium Foods and Dental Caries Experience in Preschool Children

Problem statement: The prevalence of caries in Indonesia in children aged 3-4 years is 81.5% with a def-t score of 6.2 and the prevalence of caries in children aged 5 years is 90.2% with a def-t score of 8.1. Preschool children are prone to dental caries, one of the dental and oral health service efforts that can be done is in the form of preventing dental and oral diseases. It has been found that foods and drinks containing calcium can help prevent dental caries. Purpose: This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between parents' knowledge of calcium-based foods and the dental caries experience of preschoolers at IT Al-Hikmah Kindergarten, Cirebon City. Method: This study used a cross-sectional design. The population in this study were all children and parents of TK Al-Hikmah Cirebon City with a total sample of 60 parents and 60 children. Analysis of the results of the study using the Spearman rank test. Results: The majority of parents' knowledge about calcium-based foods was good (55%) and the category of dental caries experience for preschoolers was very low (26.7%). Parents with good knowledge and their child's caries experience rate is very low (21.7%). The Spearman rank test results have a significance value of 0.00 and a correlation coefficient value of -0.580. Conclusion: there is a significant relationship with moderate strength and not in the same direction between parents' knowledge about calcium foods and preschool children's caries experience.

Do glycemic index and glycemic load of diet contribute to early childhood caries in preschool children?

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the potential association between the glycemic index (GI) and the glycemic load (GL) with early childhood caries in preschool children.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study collected data from 225 children aged 37–71 months in governmental nursery schools within the Altindag district of Ankara, Turkey. GI and GL values of foods and beverages were calculated using 2008 international tables of GI and GL. Dental examinations were done under daylight and by using a headlight. The prevalence of caries was obtained by calculating the number of the decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) index score or decayed, missing and filled surface (dmfs) index score.FindingsThere were significant differences in the dmft and dmfs scores according to GI groups (p = 0.022 for both). The multivariate models showed that children who consumed a high-GI diet had higher dmft scores compared to children who consumed a medium-GI diet (ß 1.48, 95% CI −1.48, 4.44), whereas children who consumed a high-GL diet had lower dmft score compared to children who consumed low-GL diet (ß 0.55, 95% CI −0.97, 2.07), however, they were not statistically significant.Originality/valueDietary total GI and GL did not significantly influence the caries experience of preschool children. Future studies should focus on the different age groups with a broader perspective.

Influence of family structure on dental caries experience of preschool children: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Dental caries is the most common oral disease affecting preschoolers. Despite the improvement in oral hygiene practices and dietary habits, no evident decline in their decayed, missing, and filled teeth levels was observed, which shifts away the focus of understanding its etiology from primarily a dietary-induced bacterial infection to a rather complex disease with multiple contributing factors. Aim: The aim is to explore the impact of parental characteristics and family structure on dental caries experience of preschoolers. Subjects and Methods: Dental caries status of 200 children, aged 3–5 years in Chidambaram was assessed using the WHO standard criteria for primary teeth and informations on family structure were obtained from parents using questionnaire. Results: Family size, birth rank, age difference between the subject and siblings, parent's age, and educational status of parents were found to be associated with the dental caries experience of the preschoolers at bivariate level. In a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis family size, birth rank, and mother's educational status remained statistically significant. Conclusion: Family structure might significantly affect the caries experience of preschool children.

Correlation of streptococcus mutans and streptococcus sobrinus colonization with and without caries experience in preschool children.

The aciduric mutans streptococci (MS) group, including Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Streptococcus sobrinus (SS), is highly cariogenic. Relationship between increments in dental caries and the presence of these species is not yet clarified. It is of great importance to separately determine the presence of these two species for understanding their role in dental caries, accurate prediction, and effective prevention. Hence, this study was undertaken to detect the presence of SM and SS in plaque samples of caries-free (CF), early childhood caries (ECC), and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and also to compare the possible relationship between these species with the occurrence of ECC. In all, 120 healthy children between 3 and 6 years of age were randomly allocated into three groups: Group A (n = 40) CF, Group B (n = 40) ECC, and Group C (n = 40) S-ECC. Plaque samples were collected from all approximal surface and gingivobuccal surfaces of teeth using a sterile universal scaler and dmft/dmfs scores were taken. The presence of SM and SS was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The presence of SM in CF, ECC, and S-ECC was 10.0%, 27.5%, and 42.5%, respectively, and SS was 5.0%, 40.0%, and 47.5% in CF, ECC, and S-ECC, respectively. Comparison of mean relative quantification (RQ) values of SM between three study groups showed significant results between CF and S-ECC at P value 0.003. Comparison of mean RQ values of SS showed significant results between CF to ECC and CF to S-ECC at P value <0.001. This study showed significant results between the mean dmft/dmfs scores in three study groups and the presence of high levels of SM and SS in ECC and S-ECC groups. However, the study showed weak positive correlation between dmfs scores and both SM and SS species in ECC and S-ECC. Higher levels of SS were more closely related to the caries-active lesions leading to severity of dental disease, that is, both in ECC and S-ECC. There was significant difference between mean dmft/dmfs scores in three study groups and it also showed positive correlation between dmfs scores and SM and SS colonization in ECC and S-ECC status.

Caries Experience in Preschool Children over a 10-year Period.

To analyse the caries experience in preschool children at two moments 10 years apart. Two cross-sectional epidemiological studies, the first in 2006 (n = 275) and the second in 2016 (n = 258), were carried out with samples composed of children from 3 to 6 years of age. All children were enrolled in the municipal schools of basic education of a municipality in northwest São Paulo state, and they attended an annual and continuous oral health education programme. Caries experience was calculated for deciduous and permanent teeth using the dmft and DMFT indices, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Statistical analysis was performed using Epi info 7.1 and Bioestat 5.0 software. In 2006, the mean dmft index was 1.88, with 7.59% of teeth having caries experience. In 2016, the mean dmft index was 0.99, with 5.15% of teeth showing caries experience. In contrast, in 2006, the mean DMFT index was 0.08 (n = 509), with 4.1% of teeth with caries experience; in 2016, the mean DMFT index was 0.06 (n = 381) and 3.6% of teeth showed caries experience. The proportions of teeth with caries experience differed statistically significantly (p = 0.435). In the last study, 78.2% of the children were caries free, below the WHO target for 2020. The Significant Caries Index (SiC Index) was 0.2. A decline of caries experience in the deciduous dentition was found in the study population.

Limited and Nongeneralizable Evidence Shows Neighborhood Contextual Factors May Be Linked to Dental Treatment but Not Untreated Caries Prevalence

Neighbourhood Determinants of Caries Experience in Preschool Children: A Multilevel Study. Priesnitz MC, Celeste RK, Pereira MJ, Pires CA, Feldens CA, Kramer PF. Caries Res 2016;50(5):455-61. None. Cross-sectional study.

Neighbourhood Determinants of Caries Experience in Preschool Children: A Multilevel Study

Objectives: To investigate the association between neighbourhood factors and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index among preschool children. Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study comprised 1,110 children (0-5 years old) clustered in 16 official neighbourhoods of Canoas city, southern Brazil. Multilevel binomial models were used to estimate the association of contextual variables at neighbourhood level (Human Development Index, average income, and public primary health care units) with two oral health outcomes: decayed teeth (dt) and missing or filled teeth (mft), after adjusting for individual variables (gender, age, maternal education, equivalent household income logarithm, household, and point of care). Results: Overall, 24.9% of the sample had dental caries experience (dmft >0), and 92.3% of the dmft was untreated caries. There was no statistical significant association (p > 0.05) of contextual characteristics with the decay component. The teeth of children living in richer areas had 2.87 (95% CI: 1.05-7.86) times more chances of being treated (mft component). Variance attributed to neighbourhood level was estimated as 5.9% (p < 0.01) and 4.1% (p = 0.17) for dt and mft, respectively, in adjusted models. Conclusions: Intra-urban areas seem homogeneous, with small variability between neighbourhoods, having no contextual effect on untreated dental caries (dt). Contextual variables may influence treatment access (mft) through the use of dental services in preschool children.

Dental Caries Experience Among Pre-School Children Of Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT Aim To determine the dental caries experience of pre-school children attending anganwadi and day care centre in Udupi Taluk. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 825 pre-school children attending Anganwadi and day care centers in Udupi Taluk. Dental caries was assessed using Dentition status and treatment needs (WHO, 1997). Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 with significance level at P value &lt; 0.05. Chi-square test was used to find out the significant differences. Level of significance was taken Results Dental caries experience was significantly higher among anganwadi children (3.74±3.58) as compared to day care children (3.26±3.32). The prevalence of dental caries was 64.2% among anganwadi children and 61.0% among day care children. Girls had slightly higher mean deft score, mean number of decayed teeth, filled teeth and lower missing teeth as compared to boys. Conclusion High caries experience in this study revealed that there is a great need to plan and conduct oral health promotion initiatives and treatment activities for preschool children. The oral health education at initial stages would help in improving preventive dental behavior and attitude which is beneficial for lifelong.

Oral health status and behaviours of preschool children in Hong Kong

BackgroundDental caries is a major public health problem in many countries. Since the last territority-wide dental survey of Hong Kong preschool children was conducted in 2001, a survey to update the information is necessary. This study aimed to describe the dental caries experience of preschool children in Hong Kong and factors affecting their dental caries status.MethodsA stratified random sample of children from seven kindergartens in Hong Kong was surveyed in 2009. Ethical approval from IRB and parental consent was obtained. Clinical examinations of the children were performed by two calibrated examiners using disposable dental mirrors, an intra-oral LED light and ball-ended periodontal probes. A questionnaire to investigate possible explanatory factors for caries status was completed by the children’s parents. Caries experience was recorded using the dmft index. Multifactor-ANOVA was used to study the relationship between dental caries experience, and the background and oral health-related behaviours of the children.ResultsSeven hundred children (53% boys), mean age 5.3 ± 0.7 years were examined. The mean dmft score of the surveyed children was 2.2 and 51% of them had no caries experience (dmft = 0). Most (>95%) of the decayed teeth were untreated. Statistically significant correlations were found between dental caries experience of the children and their oral health-related habits, family income, parental education level and parental dental knowledge.ConclusionsEarly childhood dental caries was prevalent among the preschool children in Hong Kong. Their caries experience was associated with their oral health-related behaviours, socio-economic background, and parental education and dental knowledge.

Influence of Family Structure on Dental Caries Experience of Preschool Children in Sri Lanka

Background: The prevalence of dental caries in preschool children has not been declining in the recent past. A growing body of research suggests that social and behavioural factors may play a considerable role in the aetiology of dental caries. Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the family structure and dental caries experience in preschool children. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in children aged 3–5 years in Wattala Divisional Secretariat area in Colombo district of Sri Lanka. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the parents on family structure including the size, birth rank, age spacing between the next oldest and youngest sibling and age of parent at birth of the subject. The dental caries status of the children was assessed using WHO standard criteria for primary teeth. Results: Family size, birth rank, age difference between the subject and next oldest sibling and parent’s age at birth of the subject were significantly associated with the dental caries experience of the preschool children at bivariate level. In a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis family size, birth rank and the parent’s age at birth of the child remained statistically significant. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that family structure might significantly affect the caries experience of preschool children.

Maternal health and lifestyle, and caries experience in preschool children. A longitudinal study from pregnancy to age 5 yr

In this study, associations were explored between maternal health and lifestyle during pregnancy and in early motherhood, and preschool children's caries experience. The study was based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and on data from the Public Dental Services. A total of 1348 children were followed from pregnancy to age 5 yr. A clinical dental examination was performed at age 5 yr. Questionnaires were completed by the mothers during pregnancy and in the first 18 months of their child's life, and as part of the dental examination. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that having an obese mother (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-4.1), a mother who consumed a diet containing more fat (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5) or sugar (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) than recommended, a mother with low education (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) or one or both parents of non-western origin (OR = 5.4, 95% CI: 2.8-10.6) were statistically significant risk indicators for caries experience at age 5 yr. In conclusion, maternal weight and intake of sugar and fat in pregnancy were associated with caries experience in preschool children. These characteristics may enable early referral to the dental services and preventive care to be delivered.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the distribution of dental caries in Brazilian preschool children

This study assessed the inequality in caries distribution and the association between socioeconomic indicators and caries experience of preschool children in a city in Brazil. A cross-sectional study in a multistage random sample of 455, 1-5-year-old children was conducted on National Children's Vaccination Day in Santa Maria, Brazil. Calibrated examiners evaluated the prevalence of dental caries and parents provided information about several socioeconomic indicators by means of a semistructured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression model. The caries prevalence was 23.5 percent and the means for the decayed, missing and filled primary teeth was 0.8. A high inequality in the caries distribution with Gini coefficient of 0.8 and Significant Caries Index of 2.8 was observed. The oldest children, non-white, with mothers having low level of education and from low household income had the highest prevalence of dental caries. Socioeconomic factors are strong predictors for the inequality in caries distribution in Brazilian preschool children.

Impact of Infant Feeding Practices on Caries Experience of Preschool Children

This study investigated the association between breastfeeding, bottle feeding, night feeding, age, and sex of the child on the caries experience. Information was collected from the mothers of preschool children. Information included the age of the child, sex of the child, form of breastfeeding (whether exclusive, almost exclusive or mixed), duration of breastfeeding, night feeding habits of the child, and duration and content of bottle feeding. Intraoral examination was done to assess the dmft. The impact of the variables on the caries experience (rampant caries, no caries and the dmft) was then assessed. The duration of breast feeding (p = 0.002), and form of breast feeding (p = 0.03) were significant predictors of the dmft. The dmft was highest in children who were breastfed for longer than 18 months and highest for children who were exclusively breastfed. There is a strong association between rampant caries and duration of breast feeding only (p < 0.001). The risk of having rampant caries increases by 10% (p = 0.012) with every month increase in the duration of breastfeeding. The duration of breastfeeding increased the risk for rampant caries in preschool children in Nigeria. The longer the duration, the higher the risk for caries.

Factors associated with prevalence and severity of caries experience in preschool children

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and severity of caries experience in the primary dentition of preschool children and to assess the association of disease distribution with oral hygiene levels, reported oral health behaviours and socio-demographic factors. Study samples comprised 1250 3-year-old and 1283 5-year-old pre-school children from four distinct geographical areas in Flanders. Information on oral hygiene and dietary habits, oral health behaviours and socio-demographic variables was collected using questionnaires completed by the parents. Clinical examinations were performed using standardized criteria. Caries experience was recorded at the level of cavitation (d(3) level). Simple as well as multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed in order to identify factors associated with prevalence and severity of caries experience. Visible plaque was present in 31% of 3-year-olds and 37% of 5-year-olds. In 3-year-olds, 7% presented with caries experience while this was the case in 31% of 5-year-olds. Multivariable logistic regression revealed significant associations, in 3-year-olds, of caries experience with presence of dental plaque (OR = 7.93; 95% CI: 2.56-24.55) and reported consumption of sugared drinks at night (OR = 7.96; 95% CI: 1.57-40.51). In 5-year-olds, significant associations were seen with age (OR = 7.79; 95% CI: 2.38-25.43), gender (OR = 0.37 with 95% CI: 0.19-0.71 for girls), presence of visible dental plaque (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.64-6.89) and reported habit of having sugar-containing drinks in between meals (OR = 2.60 with 95% CI: 1.16-5.84 and OR = 3.18 with 95% CI: 1.39-7.28, respectively for 1x/day and > 1x/day versus not every day). In 5-year-olds with caries experience (30.8% of total sample), the severity of disease was further analysed (d(3)mft between 1 and 4 versus d(3)mft 5 or higher). Multivariable analyses showed a significant association with gender [girls more likely to have higher disease levels; OR = 4.67 (95% CI: 1.65-13.21)] and with presence of plaque (OR = 3.91 with 95% CI: 1.23-12.42). Presence of visible plaque accumulation and reported consumption of sugared drinks were associated with prevalence of caries experience in Flemish preschool children. Severity of disease was associated with gender and with presence of plaque. Results underline the importance of plaque control and diet management from very young age on.

Dental caries experience of preschool children from the North Brisbane region.

To report the dental caries experience of preschool children within the north Brisbane region and to investigate the association between selected social and demographic variables and disease presence. A cross-sectional sample of 2515 children aged four to six years was examined in a preschool setting using decayed, missing, filled teeth/surface (dmft/dmfs) and percentage caries free indices. A self-administered questionnaire obtained information regarding selected social and demographic variables. The data were analysed using the chi-square and one way analysis of variance procedures at the 5 per cent level of significance. Overall, 1668 (66.3 per cent) children were disease free at the examination and mean dmft was 1.4+/-2.77 and dmfs was 2.28+/-6.00. Dental caries occurred more frequently and severely in children from non-Caucasian background (p<0.000), family language other than English (p=0.001) and lower socio-economic status (p<0.000). Significant associations between child ethnicity, language spoken at home, socio-economic status and caries presence have been identified. Epidemiological data can be used for improved public oral health service planning and resource allocation within the region.

Between-meal eating habits and dental caries experience in preschool children.

Between-Meal Eating Habits and Dental Caries Experience in Preschool Children Robert L. Weiss, and Albert H. Trithart CopyRight https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.50.8.1097 Published Online: August 29, 2011