Dental caries and associated factors in 3 to 5-year-old children in Zhejiang Province, China: an epidemiological survey

Effect of sleep on oral health: A scoping review

Sleep is a vital biological process that facilitates numerous vital functions integral to mental and physical restoration of the body. Sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality not only affects physical health but may also affect oral health. This scoping review aims to collate existing evidence related to the impact of sleep duration and/or quality on oral health. A systematic search strategy using PubMed, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL databases was performed to identify studies that assessed the association between sleep quality or duration and oral health or hygiene. Two researchers independently screened and extracted the data. Eligible studies were critically appraised using the NIH quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies checklist. The search identified 18,398 studies, from which 14 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the 14 papers, four papers were associated with effect of sleep on caries, 8 papers described the effect of sleep on gingival and periodontal health, and two papers described the effect of sleep on general oral health and oral disease symptoms. This review found a direct link between sleep and dental decay in children, and short sleep duration was associated with an increased risk of periodontitis adults.

Association of Early Childhood Caries with Body Mass Index, Dietary Habits, and Socioeconomic Status among Preschool Children of Kelambakkam

Introduction

One of the most prevalent oral diseases affecting preschoolers, early childhood caries (ECC), can significantly lower a child's quality of life. The pain and discomfort that ECC causes will alter the child's eating habits, which will have an impact on both their physical and mental health, as shown by the deviation from the body mass index (BMI). Dental caries and deviation from the normal BMI are both significantly influenced by children's eating habits and socioeconomic status (SES).

Aim

To determine the association of ECC with BMI, dietary habits, and SES among 3-6-year-old preschool children.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 preschool children of 3-6 years of age. The decayed, missing, or filled teeth (deft) index was used to determine the caries status. Measurement of height (m) and weight (kg) was done using a stadiometer and electronic weighing machine. For each child, the BMI (kg/m2) was calculated, and the child's body weight status was assessed using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-based classification. Questionnaires were collected with demographic details, 3 days diet diary, and the SES of parents. The dietary habit and SES were obtained from the healthy eating index-2005 (HEI-2005) score and Modified Kuppuswamy's Scale 2018. All the data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software V 20.0.

Result

The prevalence of ECC was 44.8%. On comparison of mean height, weight, and BMI scores, there was a significant difference in mean weight (p = 0.006) and BMI (p = 0.001) among the two study groups. Children with ECC had a lower HEI-2005 score and belonged to a lower social class compared to caries-free children (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Children with ECC are significantly associated with BMI being overweight, or risk of being overweight; lower grades of SES and lower total score of HEI-2005 with poor diet and diet that needs improvement.

How to cite this article

Suresh A, Srinivasan D, AR SE, et al. Association of Early Childhood Caries with Body Mass Index, Dietary Habits, and Socioeconomic Status among Preschool Children of Kelambakkam. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):565-571.

The Relationship between Sleep, Chronotype, and Dental Caries-A Narrative Review

This article provides an overview of how sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances mutually influence the occurrence of dental caries and how it is possible to reduce the risk of circadian rhythm disturbances, sleep, and associated adverse effects. Dental caries is a global problem worldwide that contributes to sociological limitations. Numerous factors influence the occurrence of dental caries, from socioeconomic factors to cariogenic bacteria, dietary habits, and oral hygiene. However, sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disturbances represent a new approach in the fight against the increasing prevalence of dental caries worldwide. Bacteria in the oral cavity and the oral microbiome are mainly responsible for the development of caries, and saliva plays an important role in their regulation. The circadian rhythm regulates numerous physiological functions, including sleep and saliva production. Disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythms affect saliva production, which impacts the development of dental caries, as saliva is necessary for regulating and maintaining oral health, especially for controlling oral infections. A person's preference for a particular time of day depends on the circadian rhythm called chronotype. Individuals with an evening chronotype have a less healthy lifestyle that can lead to a higher caries risk than individuals with a morning chronotype. Because circadian rhythms are critical to maintaining sleep homeostasis and oral health, sleep disturbances can disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to a vicious cycle.

Oral pathology and overweight among pupils in government primary schools in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Tooth decay and periodontal diseases are the main oral pathologies in the world. The prevalence of overweight in children has increased worldwide. Overweight children have alterations in the composition of saliva and excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids tend to slow the metabolism of carbohydrates in the oral cavity leading to tooth decay, periodontal disease and others oral disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between oral pathologies and overweight in pupils of primary schools of Cameroon.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out from June to August 2020 in four government primary schools selected through cluster sampling in Yaounde. 650 pupils aged between 6 and 11 years were enrolled. Data collected included anthropometric, oral pathologies, quality of oral hygiene and feeding habits. Data were analysed with the SPSS 26.0 statistical software and binary logistic regression was used to determine the risks of oral pathologies in overweight pupils. P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight was 27% (95% CI: 23.5-30.5). The main oral pathologies was tooth decay (60.3%). Binary logistic regression revealed that overweight pupils were significantly 1.5 times more likely to develop tooth decay than non-overweight pupils (95% CI: 1.1-2.4).

CONCLUSION

Overweight, tooth decay are prevalent among pupils. Overweight pupils have a higher risk of developing tooth decay compared to non-obese pupils. An integrated package of oral and nutritional health promotion activities is necessary in primary schools in Cameroon.

Effect of sleep on development of early childhood caries: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of sleep on the development of early childhood caries (ECC).

METHODS

Seven electronic databases and grey literature were searched with various keyword combinations. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The studies were included if they evaluated the impact of sleep parameters on the caries experience or severity of ECC in children under 6 years of age.

RESULTS

Four cross-sectional studies and two longitudinal studies were included. Children who had irregular bedtimes had a 66-71% higher chance of developing ECC. Children who slept after 11 pm might have a 74-85% higher chance of developing ECC. Children who slept less than 8 h during the night had a 30% increased risk of caries than children who slept more than 11 h.

CONCLUSION

Irregular or late bedtime and fewer sleeping hours could be an independent risk factor for ECC. The risk of ECC might be related inversely in a dose-response manner to the number of sleep hours.

Evaluation of Beta-Defensin 1 and Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 Polymorphisms in Children with Dental Caries Compared to Caries-Free Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and objective: Some variants in defensin beta 1 (DEFB1) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) genes can be associated with oral diseases. Herein, we designed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association of DEFB1 (rs11362, rs1799946, and rs1800972) and MBL2 (rs7096206 and rs1800450) polymorphisms with the susceptibility to dental caries (DC) in children. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases until 3 December 2022, without any restrictions. The odds ratio (OR), along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of the effect sizes, are reported. Analyses including a subgroup analysis, a sensitivity analysis, and funnel plot analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 416 records were identified among the databases, and nine articles were entered into the meta-analysis. A significant relationship was found between the T allele of DEFB1 rs11362 polymorphism and DC susceptibility, and the T allele was related to an elevated risk of DC in children (OR = 1.225; 95%CI: 1.022, 1.469; p = 0.028; I² = 0%). No other polymorphisms were associated with DC. All articles were of moderate quality. Egger's test in homozygous and dominant models demonstrated a significant publication bias for the association of DEFB1 rs1799946 polymorphism with DC risk. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the T allele of DEFB1 rs11362 polymorphism had an elevated risk for DC in children. However, there were only few studies that evaluated this association.

Association between sleep patterns and early childhood caries in 3-4-year-old children: A cross-sectional study

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the sleep practices of children and their association with early childhood caries (ECC) at three different age periods.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the sleep practices, feeding practices, and oral hygiene practices of children during nighttime from 0 to 2 years of age. A survey among 550 mothers of children aged 3-4 years with ECC (n = 275) and without ECC (n = 275) was conducted using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The three practices (sleep practices, feeding practices, and oral hygiene practices) of children at 0-3 months, 4-11 months, and 1-2 years of age were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Risk factors associated with ECC at 0-3 months of age were gender (odds ratio [OR]: 0.59, 0.36-0.98), no previous dental visit (OR: 2.30, 1.15-4.59), bedtime (OR: 3.54, 2.01-6.25), and intentional feeding practice at night (OR: 1.83, 1.0-3.35). At 4-11 months of age, no previous dental visit (OR: 3.28, 1.66-6.49), mother's education (OR: 0.42, 0.23-0.76), frequent night wakes (OR: 5.98, 1.89-19.21), and intentional feeding practice at night (OR: 111.09, 32.25-382.68) and, at 1-2 years of age, no previous dental visit (OR: 2.37, 1.45-3.88), intentional feeding practice at night (OR: 19.12, 9.09-40.21), and breastfeeding for more than 2 years (OR: 14.56, 7.17-29.56) were associated with ECC.

Conclusion

Lack of previous dental visit and intentional feeding at night were the common risk factors associated with ECC in children.

Investigation of the Antibacterial, Anti-Biofilm, and Antioxidative Effect of Piper betle Leaf Extract against Bacillus gaemokensis MW067143 Isolated from Dental Caries, an In Vitro-In Silico Approach

Among oral diseases, dental caries is one of the most frequent to affect human health. The current research work aimed to ascertain the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and antioxidative potential of Piper betle leaf extract against bacteria isolated from dental caries. Analysis for the presence of phytochemical compounds revealed compounds, such as tannins, steroids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids, which were also confirmed by TLC and FTIR. GC-MS analysis elucidated the presence of 20 phytocompounds, among which were some well-reported bioactive compounds. The chloroform extract of P. betle demonstrated good antibacterial activity (7 mm) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (100 mg mL^-1) against Bacillus gaemokensis MW067143, which was the frequent biofilm producer among isolated bacterial strains. Fractions of the extract were isolated through column chromatography, after which the antibacterial activity was again evaluated. Spirost-8-en-11-one,3-hydroxy(3β,5α,14β,20β,22β,25R), an oxosteroid in nature, was observed to exhibit remarkable antibacterial potential (12 mm) against B. gaemokensis. Bacterial cells treated with P. betle extract had elevated SOD, APOX, POX, and GR activity, while its proteolytic activity against whole bacterial proteins was pronounced with the suppression of several proteins (50, 40, 15, and 10 kDa) in SDS-PAGE. Bacterial cells treated with P. betle extract demonstrated decreased growth, while the extract was also observed to exhibit inhibition of biofilm formation (70.11%) and demolition of established B. gaemokensis biofilms (57.98%). SEM analysis revealed significant changes to bacterial morphology post treatment with P. betle, with cellular disintegration being prominent. In silico network pharmacology analysis elucidated proteins like ESR1 and IL6 to be majorly involved in biological pathways of dental caries, which also interact with the protective ability of P. betle. Gene Ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways were also screened using enrichment analysis. Molecular docking demonstrated the highest binding affinity of Spirost-8-en-11-one,3-hydroxy-,(3β,5α,14β,20β,22β,25R) with bacterial proteins FabI (-12 kcal/mol), MurB (-17.1 kcal/mol), and FtsZ (-14.9 kcal/mol). Therefore, it is suggested that P. betle can serve a potentially therapeutic role and could be used in the preparation of herbal formulations for managing bacterial flora.

Related Risk Factors of Early Childhood Caries in Zhejiang Province, China During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives

This work aims to examining the latest early childhood caries situation in children aged 3 and 5 and its related risk factors in Zhejiang Province during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

There are 3,537 children and their main caregivers participate in this study. We used chi square test or U-test to analyze whether there were differences in the prevalence of dental caries under different variables. The risk factors on ECC were determined by multivariate logistic analysis.

Results

The ECC rate of children in this study was 57.51%. The mean decayed missing filled teeth (dmft) scores were 3.01. The result of multivariate logistic analysis showed higher ECC prevalence was found in children as age increasing, with lower district economic level, with high frequency of confectionary consumption, having oral medical treatment behavior and bad evaluation of children's oral health by parents.

Conclusion

In general, the prevalence rate of ECC in this study was lower than five years ago, but still higher than those developed countries. And it was associated with age, district economic level, frequency of confectionary consumption, oral medical treatment behavior and evaluation of children's oral health by parents.

Early childhood caries prevalence and associated factors among preschoolers aged 3-5 years in Xiangyun, China: A cross-sectional study

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the early childhood caries (ECC) prevalence among preschoolers aged 3-5 years in Xiangyun of Yunnan, China and explore the factors associated with the prevalence.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional survey including 3-5-year-old children was conducted in Xiangyun County, China, between September and November 2020. According to the dental examination standard of the WHO 2013 criteria, the presence of ECC was recorded. Besides the dental examination for children, their parents completed questionnaires about caries-related factors, including demographic variables, family socioeconomic status, feeding, and oral health-related habits, parental dental knowledge, and the condition of dental service utilization. SPSS Statistics 25.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The ECC prevalence among a sample of 1,280 children aged 3-5 years consisting of 665 boys and 615 girls in this study, was 74.3%, and the mean decayed-missing-filled teeth (dmft) was 4.9 ± 5.0. There were no statistically significant differences in the ECC prevalence between the sexes and among different ethnic groups. Children with different dietary and oral hygiene habits showed no significantly different prevalence of ECC. Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significantly associated factors were older age, lower family income, and worse parental perception of children's oral health status.

Conclusion

The ECC prevalence among 3-5-year-old preschool children in Xiangyun was higher than the average national ECC prevalence in China. This study implies that more attention should be given to children's caries prevention from early childhood; oral health education and promotion should be intensified to reduce the ECC prevalence and improve the oral health status of children in Xiangyun.

Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior, and Living Conditions in 6-8-Year-Old Romanian School Children

Dental caries still have a high prevalence in Romania. The aim of this paper is to determine the prevalence of caries in children (aged 6 to 8 years) correlated with individual-level predictors and socio-economic variables. A stratified, randomized nationally representative sample was established, taking into consideration the total number of preschool children and based on administrative units and residence. Self-assessment was performed by means of the Oral Health Questionnaire for Children (WHO). Examinations were conducted by 10 standardized examiners, with International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) caries codes higher than 3 considered as dentinal caries, missing teeth as MT, and restorations as FT. DMFT and SiC indexes were calculated accordingly. The dataset for each outcome variable was analyzed by the Hurdle approach analyzed. The gender distribution was similar (47.22% male and 52.78% female), with 42.65% residing in rural areas. The mean DMFT value for the sample was 4.89 and SiC index 9.83. A negative association could be seen between DMFT and the father’s level of education (β = −0.33, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01) as well as the mother’s education (β = −0.25, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01). In conclusion, caries prevalence is very high in Romania as compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for this age group in correlation with socio-economic factors and oral health behavior.

Iron deficiency anemia associated factors and early childhood caries in Qingdao

Background

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been shown to be related to early childhood caries (ECC). However, data on the relationship, if any, between IDA-associated factors and ECC remain scant. This study aimed to explore the interplay between IDA-associated factors and ECC.

Methods

This study randomly sampled a total of 1598 children in Qingdao city, and analyzed the severity of ECC using decayed-missing-filled teeth index, while the rate of caries was analyzed following the WHO recommendations. The correlation between IDA and ECC was analyzed by both the chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test. In addition, we designed an electronic questionnaire and employed the disordered multi-classification logistic regression to interrogate the relationship between the IDA-associated factors and ECC.

Results

Children with IDA had higher rates and severe ECC than those without IDA (p < 0.001). Children who were breastfed until 2 years old had a higher risk of IDA and ECC, compared to those who were not {OR 3.453 (1.681–7.094)}. Compared with children who had no history of IDA at the age of 2 years or below, those with IDA history had a higher risk of IDA and ECC {OR 8.762 (3.648–21.041)}. In addition, children who had a maternal history of IDA at pregnancy were at a higher risk of IDA and ECC compared to those who had no IDA history at pregnancy {OR 4.913 (2.934–8.226)}. Our data showed that children from a family with an annual income lower than 50,000 Renminbi (RMB) had a higher risk of IDA and ECC compared to those with an annual family income higher than 200,000 RMB {OR 3.421 (1.505–7.775)}. On the other hand, compared with children taking iron supplements, children who did not were at a higher risk of ECC and IDA {OR 5.602 (1.858–16.896)}.

Conclusion

Factors such as low family income, history of IDA in children aged 2 years or younger, IDA history during pregnancy, children breastfed until 2 years old, and those not taking iron supplements were significantly associated with the occurrence of ECC and IDA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02127-z.

Dental Caries and Associated Factors in 3-5-Year-Old Children in Guizhou Province, China: An Epidemiological Survey (2015-2016)

Objective: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing dental caries among 3–5-year-old children in Guizhou Province and the interrelationship between these factors using structural equation modeling, while providing theoretical references to improve the prevention and control strategy.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1,291 children aged 3–5 years in Guizhou Province were selected by a multistage stratified and whole group random sampling to examine the caries prevalence in whole-mouth deciduous teeth crowns, and parents were surveyed with questionnaires to analyze the caries-related factors. IBM SPSS Statistics v 23.0 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The caries prevalence of children aged 3–5 years in Guizhou Province was 63.1%, the mean decayed-missing-filled teeth was 3.32, the caries filling rate was 0.5%, and there was no statistically significant difference between urban and rural areas and among genders in each age group; results of logistic regression analysis showed that the caries risk increased with the following factors: age, brushing frequency <2 times per day when parents did not take their children to the dentist, and with parents poor evaluation of the oral condition of their children. The higher the education of the parent, the lower the risk of children suffering from caries in deciduous teeth.

Conclusions: With an overall poor situation about oral hygiene habits, oral healthcare attitude of the parents, and behavior transformation, the prevalence of dental caries in the deciduous teeth of children aged 3–5 years in Guizhou Province is high, and their caries status was severe, with more than 99% of the caries cases that were untreated. Therefore, prevention and treatment measures of caries in preschool children need strengthening through the improvement of public awareness and the enhancement of the management of oral health habits of their children.

Oral Health Status of Residents in Jiangsu Province, China: An Epidemiologic Survey

Introduction

This study was conducted to characterise the oral health conditions of residents in Jiangsu Province, China.

Methods

In this descriptive study, 5 groups of participants were selected by a multistage stratified equal capacity random sampling, including 3- to 5-year-olds, 12- to 15-year-olds, 35- to 44-year-olds, 55- to 64-year-olds, and 65- to 74-year-olds. The data were collected by using the fifth edition of Oral Health Surveys-Basic Methods recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Results

In these 5 groups, the mean DMFT/dmft of coronal caries were 3.07, 0.69, 4.03, 7.15, and 11.97, respectively, resulting in prevalence rates of 59.69%, 34.98%, 52.05%, 56.86%, and 72.19%, respectively. However, the filling rates were low in all age groups (1.88%, 17.53%, 29.88%, 16.13%, and 19.36%, respectively). Only 3.58% of the 12-year-old participants had good pit and fissure sealants. The adults include three groups, 35- to 44-year-olds, 55- to 64-year-olds, and 65- to 74-year-olds, and the prevalence rates of clinical attachment loss (CAL ≥4 mm) were 32.19%, 76.47%, and 85.43%, respectively. The proportions of adult groups with implant dentures, fixed dentures, removable partial dentures, complete dentures, and substandard dentures were 0%, 26.44%, 11.11%, 0.67%, and 4.89%, respectively. Additionally, 49.64% of adults had missing teeth that were not replaced.

Conclusions

Dental caries and periodontal disease were frequent and common in Jiangsu, China. But only a few of the residents sought treatment. Oral diseases continued to be a major problem for local residents.

Discriminant validity of the CAST instrument compared to the dmf index in the deciduous dentition: a cross sectional study

This study aimed to assess the discriminant validity of the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) at different thresholds, compared with the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (dmf) instrument, to discriminate caries risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted including children aged 2-5 years from preschools in Southern Brazil. Parents answered a questionnaire, and children were clinically examined using the CAST instrument and, in the following weeks, using the dmf index. Two caries thresholds were adopted for CAST: caries in dentin (CAST4-7/CAST2,4-8) and enamel caries (CAST3-7/CAST2-8). Poisson regression was used in the analysis (p < 0.05). A total of 200 children were included. The prevalence of caries was 47.0% with dmf, 42.5% with CAST4-7, and 77.5% with CAST3-7. When the outcome was caries prevalence, CAST4-7 discriminated between sexes, household crowding, and dental pain, and CAST3-7 discriminated age and family income, while the dmf was associated with dental pain. When experience of caries was the outcome, all the criteria discriminated between sexes, age, family income, household overcrowding, visible dental plaque, and dental pain, while dmf and CAST2-8 also discriminated maternal schooling. The CAST discriminated caries risk factors similar to the dmf index when caries experience was the outcome. When prevalence was considered, CAST was able to discriminate for more individual characteristics than dmf.

Dental caries and associated factors among Chinese children and adolescents: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is a common disease under the action of many factors. Dental caries may occur in all age groups, among which children and adolescents are at high risk of dental caries. Early identification of the risk factors of dental caries is very important for clinical staff to prevent and intervene as soon as possible and reduce the incidence of dental caries. Although Chinese scholars have studied and summarized the risk factors of dental caries in children and adolescents, the conclusions are different. Therefore, in this study, meta-analysis was used to summarize the risk factors of dental caries in Chinese children and adolescents, and to explore the characteristics of high-risk groups of dental caries, so as to provide reference for early detection and prevention of dental caries.

METHODS

Medical specialty databases like PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Database were consistently and exhaustively searched. According to the method of evidence-based medicine, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, and the meta-analysis of all eligible research results was carried out by using Review Manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

We will disseminate the findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis via publications in peer-reviewed journals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study was carried out to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among Chinese children and adolescents.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/RA9D6.

The status and associated factors of early childhood caries among 3- to 5-year-old children in Guangdong, Southern China: a provincial cross-sectional survey

Background

Dental caries of deciduous teeth (Early Childhood Caries, ECC) has become a crucial oral health problem over the decades in China. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and severity of ECC among preschool children from Guangdong Province, Southern China. In addition, to assess the association of ECC with reported oral health-related behaviors.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 2592 participants was carried out in Guangdong Province by means of an equal-sized, stratified, multistage random sampling method during December 2015 and April 2016. The participants were divided into three groups according to their ages (3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds). Half of the participants were derived from urban areas, while the other from rural areas. According to the standard for clinical dentition examination of the WHO 2013 criteria, the presence of ECC was determined by the dmft (decayed-missing-filled tooth) index using a CPI (Community Periodontal Index) probe. A questionnaire about caries-related factors was completed by each of the participants’ parents or grandparents through a face-to-face and one-on-one interview. Then, t-test, Chi² tests, One-Way ANOVA served for statistical analysis, and logistic regression analysis as well as covariance analysis were executed to identify potential associated factors for ECC.

Results

The prevalence (% dmft > 0) of ECC was 68.3 (95% CI: 66.5–70.1), the mean dmft was 4.36 (95% CI: 4.17–4.55), and the filled rate was 1.2%. In multivariable modeling, associated factors for both prevalence and mean dmft were older age, rural areas, consumption of sweets before sleep, dental visit history, low household income, and low parental education level. Initiating toothbrushing after 3 years of age and being exclusively/ predominantly breastfed indicated only the prevalence; being female and frequently consuming sweetened milk/powdered milk indicated only the mean dmft.

Conclusions

Preschool children in Guangdong Province, especially children from rural areas, experienced a significant amount of ECC. Associated factors for ECC included demographics, oral health measures, dietary factors, and socioeconomic factors. More attention should be given to prevention of ECC from early life. The construction of social support for oral health should be strengthened. Oral health education and promotion, especially of rural areas, should be intensified to reduce the inequality between urban and rural areas.

Early childhood caries and related risk factors: A cross-sectional study of children in Zhejiang Province, China

OBJECTIVES

This work aims to exploring the risk factors related to ECC by investigating oral health status, related behaviours and habits of children and their parent's knowledge regarding oral hygiene.

METHOD

A total of 2700 children aged 3-5 years and their parents from Zhejiang province were examined. Chi-square test or U test was used to analyse the difference of caries incidence among different groups. Logistic multiple factor stepwise regression model was used to analyse the risk factors influencing ECC prevalence.

RESULTS

ECC prevalence rate in these children was 70.7%. The mean decayed missing filled teeth(dmft) scores were 4.33. Through analysis of logistic multiple factor stepwise regression model, risk factors related to the prevalence of ECC in children include: older age, region (coastal or mountainous area), higher frequency of bedtime dessert consumption and poor care of children's oral health by parents. In the questionnaire, 5 of 14 questions showed parents' poor oral knowledge or awareness.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence rate of ECC in children aged 3-5 in this study was high and associated with older age, region (coastal or mountainous area), higher frequency of bedtime dessert consumption and poor care of children's oral health. Parents need to strengthen their understanding and action of dental caries.

Magnitude of Dental Caries and Its Associated Factors Among Governmental Primary School Children in Debre Berhan Town, North-East Ethiopia

Background

In Ethiopia, oral health prevention and treatment have gotten low attention in the government, and the existing dental services are privately owned and thus expensive. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among governmental primary school children in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia, 2019.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 30 to February 14/2019. A total of 417 primary school children were selected using computer-generated simple random sampling and interviewed using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data were coded, entered, and cleaned using Epi-data version 3.1 and export to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to test the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant association. Finally, the result of this study was present by text, tables, and graphs.

Results

Out of the 396 study participants, 135 (34.1%) had dental caries. Of these, more than half, 95 (59.37%) had the pre-molar decayed. Two hundred eighty-five (72.0%) of them were cleaned their teeth. The Independent predictors of dental caries were drinking sugared tea [AOR= 2.034, 95% CI: (1.223–3.385)] and food particle on their teeth [AOR= 6.709, 95% CI: (3.475–12.954)], which had shown a significant association with dental caries.

Conclusion

The over magnitude of dental caries was relatively high and found to be a public health problem. Drinking sugar tea, presence of food particles, or dental plaque were significantly associated with dental caries. In contrast, merchant occupation reduced the chance of dental caries. Giving health education to minimize drinking sugar tea and cleaning their teeth after consumption of sugar tea should be given attention.