Early Childhood Caries and Its Associated Factors among 9- to 18-Month Old Exclusively Breastfed Children in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

The Effectiveness of E-Learning Anticipatory Guidance on Early Childhood Caries among the Mothers of Children Aged 9-24 Months during the Pandemic: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a multifactorial disease with known etiologic factors and can be very devastating to the oral and general well-being of a child, including psychological impacts on a growing child. Young children constitute a vulnerable population because of their dependence and inability to communicate their needs. Oral health disparities continue to pose critical challenges, as ECC is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Irony lies in the fact that milk, which is a wholesome nutrition, if fed in the wrong pattern, can be the main factor that helps this type of rampant caries spread rapidly, leading to pulp exposures and complicating proceedings. Awareness is the mainstay in prevention, and creating it becomes our sole responsibility as pediatric dentists. A multidisciplinary approach, with the involvement of mothers as the main stakeholders in this effort, becomes a very promising move. Thus, this project is phase two of an interprofessional collaboration involving mothers in prevention.

Aim

The aim of the study is to create awareness among mothers and prevent ECC during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Materials and methods

A total of 200 mothers with children aged 9-24 months were selected and added to the e-groups. The allocated mothers were given a pretest questionnaire, which was collected along with a photo of their child's oral health. Anticipatory guidance was provided to them. Follow-up was done at 2, 4, and 6 months. Awareness was evaluated by pre- and posttest questionnaires. Reversal of white spots was evaluated through indices, and progression was noted.

Statistical Analysis

The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 13.

Results

Pretest and posttest questionnaire analysis was done using the Chi-squared test. The test showed a marked increase in the knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers regarding their children after the postintervention, which was given through traditional anticipatory guidance.

Conclusion

In summary, the traditional anticipatory guidance intervention appeared to improve maternal knowledge but had no effect on oral health behaviors or the progression of ECC.

How to cite this article

Sathyaprasad S, Ilyas I, A A. The Effectiveness of E-Learning Anticipatory Guidance on Early Childhood Caries among the Mothers of Children Aged 9-24 Months during the Pandemic: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(12):1409-1417.

Prevalence and risk indicators of early childhood caries among toddlers in Caloocan City, Philippines: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Limited published data exist on early childhood caries (ECC) among children 2 years old and below. The study aimed to determine ECC prevalence and its association with socio-demographic indicators, feeding practices and oral health behaviours among children aged 2 years and below in the Philippines.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study observed young children aged 4-24 months in primary health centers. Each child's caregiver was interviewed and dental examinations were done on every child by one calibrated dentist using the ICDAS. Poisson regression using robust variance estimator analysis identified significant variables associated with ECC.

RESULTS

Seven hundred three healthy children were observed at a mean age of 13.3 ± 2.4 months. ECC prevalence was 29.2% (95% confidence interval: 26.0-32.7) among toddlers who showed a mean number of 6.7 ± 3.1 erupted teeth. Multiple regression revealed that child's age (prevalence ratio, PR = 1.07), caregiver's educational level (PR = 1.43), continued breastfeeding (PR = 1.36), frequent eating (PR = 1.24), visible plaque observed by the caregiver (PR = 1.34) and in the oral examination (PR = 2.90) were significant to ECC prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

ECC is alarmingly prevalent in toddlers, marked by early onset and untreated decay. Prioritizing preventive measures in the first two years of life is crucial for understanding dietary impacts and promoting oral hygiene.

European Organisation for Caries Research and the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry Consensus Report on Clinical Recommendations for Caries Diagnosis: Paper III - Caries Diagnosis at the Individual Level

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present consensus paper was to provide recommendations for clinical practice on the individual etiological and modifying factors to be assessed in the individual diagnosis of caries, and the methods for their assessment, supporting personalized treatment decisions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The executive councils of the European Organisation for Caries Research (ORCA) and the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry (EFCD) nominated ten experts each to join the expert panel. The steering committee formed three work groups which were asked to provide recommendations on (1) caries detection and diagnostic methods, (2) caries activity assessment, and (3) forming individualized caries diagnoses. The experts responsible for "individualised caries diagnosis" searched and evaluated the relevant literature, drafted this manuscript and made provisional consensus recommendations. These recommendations were discussed and refined during the structured process in the whole work group. Finally, the agreement for each recommendation was determined using an anonymous eDelphi survey. The threshold for approval of recommendations was determined at 70% agreement.

RESULTS

Ten recommendations were approved and agreed by the whole expert panel, covering medical history, caries experience, plaque, diet, fluoride, and saliva. While the level of evidence was low, the level of agreement was typically very high, except for one recommendation on salivary flow measurement, where 70% agreed.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that all aspects of caries lesion progression and activity, recent caries experience, medical conditions and medications, plaque, diet, fluoride and saliva should be synthesized to arrive at an individual diagnosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The expert panel merged evidence from existing guidelines and scientific literature with practical considerations and provided recommendations for their use in daily dental practice.

Risk Factors of Early Childhood Caries among Preschool Children in Madipakkam, Chennai: Cross-Sectional Survey

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a major oral health problem, mainly in socially disadvantaged populations. ECC affects infants and preschool children worldwide.

Aim

A survey to identify the factors influencing the ECC among preschool children in Madipakkam, Chennai.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3-5-year-old preschool children in Madipakkam, Chennai. Three schoolchildren participated in the study. In total, 313 children aged three to five years took part in the study. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect general information to assess their feeding habits and oral hygiene practices.

Results

Dental caries experience (dmft and deft) was high among children who were bottle-fed compared to children who were breastfed. The children who were breastfed for less than six months had more caries than other children who were breastfed for more than six months.

Conclusion

Factors such as age and BMI did not show any association with ECC. Other factors such as feeding habits, snacking, oral health behavior, parental assistance in brushing, and regular dental visits are found to be associated with the ECC. Most of the risk factors studied in this study are modifiable. Therefore parents and children should be educated about the risk factors of ECC and mechanisms to control it.

Early childhood caries and its associated factors among 5-years-old Myanmar children

Introduction

Children's oral health plays a crucial role in their overall well-being and there is a significant gap in our understanding of early childhood caries (ECC) in Myanmar. This study aims to bridge this knowledge deficit by investigating the prevalence, causes, and potential interventions for ECC in the Myanmar population, providing crucial insights for future dental health policies and practices.

Methods

Generally healthy 5-year-old kindergarten children from 7 districts in city were recruited. ECC was assessed through clinical examinations using decayed, missed, filled teeth (dmft). Additionally, demographic data of the children and their caregivers, along with information about the children's oral health-related behaviors, were gathered using a structured questionnaire.

Results

Out of the 496 children, the overall prevalence of dental caries was 87.1% (mean dmft score: 5.57, SD: 4.6). Caries experience was categorized as severe (45.8%) and non-severe (41.3%). Decayed teeth constituted the major component of the dmft index (97.8%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed two significant factors associated with ECC prevalence: late toothbrushing initiation (OR: 2.54, p = 0.001) and dental visit experience (OR: 2.46, p = 0.010).

Discussion

The study highlights the alarming ECC prevalence in 5-year-old children in Mandalay, Myanmar, with mostly untreated decayed teeth. The findings emphasize early preventive oral health measures for young children to reduce ECC burden in Myanmar.

Early Childhood Caries and Nutritional Status of Children: A Review

BACKGROUND

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious public health issue affecting children around the world. Severe symptoms and complications commonly found with ECC are adverse effects on health and growth retardation triggered by sensitivity, pain, and abscesses associated with decayed teeth, premature tooth loss, and insufficient food intake due to difficulty in chewing and keeping food in the mouth.

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to provide an overview of the most recent and current evidence on the association between ECC and nutritional status with an aim to stimulate further research and to identify the impact of nutritional status on ECC and vice versa.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were used to search the studies conducted between 2016 and 2022. The included studies were searched using some keyword combinations and saved in Mendeley Desktop for review and referencing. All books, policy briefs, thesis/dissertations, and non-peer-reviewed articles were excluded, and 47 studies were selected for this narrative review.

RESULTS

Many studies have identified long-term, frequent, and nocturnal bottle-feeding and breastfeeding as well as frequent consumption of sugary food and beverages as high-risk factors for ECC. Adverse nutritional status assessed by anthropometric measures, vitamin D status, and iron-deficiency anemia have been studied as risk factors for ECC.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the prevailing studies are either case-control or cross-sectional studies, which are unable to provide strong evidence to prove the direction of causality. Thus, further prospective studies are needed to clarify the association between ECC and the nutritional status of children.

Prolonged breastfeeding and dental caries in preschool children

PURPOSE

To explore breastfeeding from 6 to 18 months of age and to study the association between breastfeeding and caries prevalence at 5 years of age.

METHODS

The study included 1088 children from one Norwegian county and was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). The children had clinical dental examination at 5 years of age, and parents answered a questionnaire, which included information on breastfeeding, oral health behaviour and child characteristic. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed. The study was ethically approved.

RESULTS

Of the studied children, 77% were breastfed at 6 months of age and 16% were still breastfed at 18 months of age. Few children (6%) were breastfed during night at 18 months of age, while 11% received sugary drink during night. No association was found between breastfeeding up to 18 months of age and caries prevalence at 5 years of age (p > .05). Children who at 18 months of age had their teeth brushed less than twice daily (OR 2.4, CI 1.5-3.9), consumed sugary drink once a week or more often (OR 1.7, CI 1.1-2.7) and had non-Western parents (OR 3.4, CI 1.5-8.1) were more likely to have caries experience at 5 years of age than other children.

CONCLUSION

Breastfeeding up to 18 months of age was not associated with caries development during preschool age.

Impact of breastfeeding and other early-life factors on the development of the oral microbiome

The oral cavity is home to the second most diverse microbiome in the human body. This community contributes to both oral and systemic health. Acquisition and development of the oral microbiome is a dynamic process that occurs over early life; however, data regarding longitudinal assembly of the infant oral microbiome is scarce. While numerous factors have been associated with the composition of the infant oral microbiome, early feeding practices (breastfeeding and the introduction of solids) appear to be the strongest determinants of the infant oral microbiome. In the present review, we draw together data on the maternal, infant, and environmental factors linked to the composition of the infant oral microbiome, with a focus on early nutrition. Given evidence that breastfeeding powerfully shapes the infant oral microbiome, the review explores potential mechanisms through which human milk components, including microbes, metabolites, oligosaccharides, and antimicrobial proteins, may interact with and shape the infant oral microbiome. Infancy is a unique period for the oral microbiome. By enhancing our understanding of oral microbiome assembly in early life, we may better support both oral and systemic health throughout the lifespan.

Anticipatory Guidance through Online Motivational Interviewing for Mothers on Early Childhood Caries among Young Children of Age 9-24 Months amidst Pandemics: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a multifactorial disease with known etiologic factors and can be very devastating to the oral and general well-being of a child, including psychological impact on a growing child. The irony is among the different factors responsible for milk that is wholesome nutrition, if fed in a wrong pattern, can be the main factor that helps this type of rampant caries spread within no time, leading to pulp exposures and complicating proceedings. Awareness is the mainstay in prevention, and creating it becomes our sole responsibility as a pediatric dentists. A multidisciplinary approach with the involvement of mothers as a main stakeholder in this front becomes a very promising move, so this project is phase two of interprofessional collaboration involving mothers in prevention; the aim of the study is to create awareness among mothers during COVID lockdown so as to prevent ECC in this covid pandemic.

Materials and methods

A total of 222 mothers with 9-24 months old children were selected and added to the e-groups. The allocated mothers were given a pretest questionnaire and collected back with a photo of their child's oral health, and anticipatory guidance and in-depth interviewing were given to them. Follow-up is done in 2, 4, and 6 months. Awareness is evaluated by pre- and posttest questionnaires. Reversal of the white spot is evaluated through indices, and progression is noted.

Statistical analysis

The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 13.

Result

Pretest and postquestionnaire analysis were done using the Chi-squared test. The test shows the marked raise in knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers on their children after postintervention, which was given through motivational interviewing (MI).

Conclusion

In summary, the MI intervention appeared to improve maternal knowledge but had no effect on oral health behaviors or on the progression of early childhood caries (ECC).

How to cite this article

Aravind A, Sathyaprasad S, Ilyas I. Anticipatory Guidance through Online Motivational Interviewing for Mothers on Early Childhood Caries among Young Children of Age 9-24 Months amidst Pandemics: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):227-236.

Early childhood caries sequelae and relapse rates in an Australian public dental hospital

BACKGROUND

Early childhood caries (ECC) remains one of the most prevalent childhood diseases in Australia, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations.

AIM

To investigate the ECC experience including risk factors, incidence of caries, pain and infection as well as relapse rates of caries and secondary dental general anaesthesia (GA).

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study included dental records of children with ECC, aged <72 months at an Australian public dental hospital paediatric dentistry department from 2013 to 2015 (n = 102). Dental caries, pain, infection, referral patterns, demographic and caries risk factor data were recorded for 24 months. Descriptive statistics were used for patient characteristics and clinical data, and Kaplan-Meier curves and parametric exponential survival models for time-to-event series.

RESULTS

The study population demonstrated higher-than-national average dmft and disease progression at baseline. Major risk factors for the development of caries, pain and infection were daily consumption of sweetened beverages, poor oral hygiene, residing in lower socio-economic areas, older age and being male. Rates of caries relapse and new referral for secondary treatment under general anaesthesia were relatively high.

CONCLUSION

A high degree of ECC progression and recurrence in this population indicates a need for a more comprehensive approach to ECC addressing multilevel root causes and systemic risk factors.

Using Chatbot as an Alternative Approach for In-Person Tooth Brushing Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

It is recommended that caregivers receive oral health education and in-person training to improve toothbrushing for young children. To strengthen oral health education before COVID-19, the 21-Day FunDee chatbot with in-person toothbrushing training for caregivers was used. During the pandemic, practical experience was difficult to implement. Therefore, the 30-Day FunDee chatbot was created to extend the coverage of chatbots from 21 days to 30 days by incorporating more videos on toothbrushing demonstrations and dialogue. This was a secondary data comparison of 2 chatbots in similar rural areas of Pattani province: Maikan district (Study I) and Maelan district (Study II).

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of 2 chatbots, 21-Day FunDee (Study I) and 30-Day FunDee (Study II), based on the protection motivation theory (PMT). This study explored the feasibility of using the 30-Day FunDee chatbot to increase toothbrushing behaviors for caregivers in oral hygiene care for children aged 6 months to 36 months without in-person training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A pre-post design was used in both studies. The effectiveness was evaluated among caregivers in terms of oral hygiene practices, knowledge, and oral health care perceptions based on PMT. In Study I, participants received in-person training and a 21-day chatbot course during October 2018 to February 2019. In Study II, participants received only daily chatbot programming for 30 days during December 2021 to February 2022. Data were gathered at baseline of each study and at 30 days and 60 days after the start of Study I and Study II, respectively. After completing their interventions, the chatbot's usability was assessed using open-ended questions. Study I evaluated the plaque score, whereas Study II included an in-depth interview. The 2 studies were compared to determine the feasibility of using the 30-Day FunDee chatbot as an alternative to in-person training.

Results

There were 71 pairs of participants: 37 in Study I and 34 in Study II. Both chatbots significantly improved overall knowledge (Study I: P<.001; Study II: P=.001), overall oral health care perceptions based on PMT (Study I: P<.001; Study II: P<.001), and toothbrushing for children by caregivers (Study I: P=.02; Study II: P=.04). Only Study I had statistically significant differences in toothbrushing at least twice a day (P=.002) and perceived vulnerability (P=.003). The highest overall chatbot satisfaction was 9.2 (SD 0.9) in Study I and 8.6 (SD 1.2) in Study II. In Study I, plaque levels differed significantly (P<.001).

Conclusions

This was the first study using a chatbot in oral health education. We established the effectiveness and usability of 2 chatbot programs for promoting oral hygiene care of young children by caregivers. The 30-Day FunDee chatbot showed the possibility of improving toothbrushing skills without requiring in-person training.

Trial Registration

Thai Clinical Trials Registry TCTR20191223005; http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20191223005 and TCTR20210927004; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20210927004

Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Oral Health-related Quality of Life among Children with Early Childhood Caries: A Cross-sectional Study

AIM

To evaluate the factors that affect the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children with early childhood caries (ECC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 340 children aged between 3 and 6 who were diagnosed with ECC were enrolled in the study. Parents accompanying the children completed a questionnaire on the sociodemographic status and filled out the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) for the evaluation of OHRQoL. Data were recorded, tabulated, and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 189 (55.6%) boys and 151 girls (44.4%). A total of 96.4% had cavitated lesions; 31.2% of the children had pain at the time of evaluation. A significant association was seen between the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) score of the child (p < 0.001). Pain at the time of evaluation and DMFT status had a significant association with the ECOHIS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Early childhood caries was found to impact the OHRQoL. Pain, visible dental plaque, family income, and parental education were found to be determinants that affect the OHRQoL.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Early childhood caries significantly reduces the OHRQoL of children and their families. Pain, visible dental plaque, family income, and parental education were found to influence the OHRQoL. Teaching parents the importance of oral health and preventive treatment will help prevent the occurrence of ECC.

Dental caries and associated risk factors in 13- to 18-month-old infants receiving breast or formula milk feeding: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The association between breast milk feeding and dental caries risk in children remains controversial. Moreover, it is unclear whether risk factors for caries differ between breast milk-fed and formula milk-fed infants.

AIM

To investigate dental caries in 13- to 18-month-old infants receiving breast milk or formula milk feeding and associated risk factors.

DESIGN

One hundred and sixty-six 13- to 18-month-old infants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Information on feeding practices, demographics, and potential risk factors was collected using a caregiver questionnaire. Carious lesions were identified by visual and tactile examination. The Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of caries in breast milk- and formula milk-fed infants was 31.8% and 36.0%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p = .579). Among all children, having dental plaque deposition on more than one third of the crown (adjusted OR (aOR): 15.11%; 95% CI: 6.11-37.35) and sleeping while milk feeding (aOR: 2.20%; 95%CI: 1.01-4.77) were associated with dental caries. In subgroup analysis, however, sleeping while milk feeding increased caries risk in the formula milk-fed group only (aOR: 2.95%; 95%CI: 1.07-8.12).

CONCLUSIONS

The type of milk feeding was not associated with dental caries, whereas dental plaque and sleeping while milk feeding increased the odds of having dental caries in this population.

Multimodal Data Integration Reveals Mode of Delivery and Snack Consumption Outrank Salivary Microbiome in Association With Caries Outcome in Thai Children

Early childhood caries (ECC) is not only the most common chronic childhood disease but also disproportionately affects underserved populations. Of those, children living in Thailand have been found to have high rates of ECC and severe ECC. Frequently, the cause of ECC is blamed on a handful of cariogenic organisms, such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. However, ECC is a multifactorial disease that results from an ecological shift in the oral cavity from a neutral pH (~7.5) to an acidic pH (&lt;5.5) environment influenced by the host individual’s biological, socio-behavioral, and lifestyle factors. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how risk factors at various levels influence the oral health of children at risk. We applied a statistical machine learning approach for multimodal data integration (parallel and hierarchical) to identify caries-related multiplatform factors in a large cohort of mother-child dyads living in Chiang Mai, Thailand (N=177). Whole saliva (1 mL) was collected from each individual for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing. A set of maternal and early childhood factors were included in the data analysis. Significantly, vaginal delivery, preterm birth, and frequent sugary snacking were found to increase the risk for ECC. The salivary microbial diversity was significantly different in children with ECC or without ECC. Results of linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis of the microbial community demonstrated that S. mutans, Prevotella histicola, and Leptotrichia hongkongensis were significantly enriched in ECC children. Whereas Fusobacterium periodonticum was less abundant among caries-free children, suggesting its potential to be a candidate biomarker for good oral health. Based on the multimodal data integration and statistical machine learning models, the study revealed that the mode of delivery and snack consumption outrank salivary microbiome in predicting ECC in Thai children. The biological and behavioral factors may play significant roles in the microbial pathobiology of ECC and warrant further investigation.

Risk Factors of Dental Caries in Preschool Children in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dental caries remains prevalent in young children. This study determined dental caries prevalence and risk factors associated with caries experience in Thai preschool children. Five kindergartens in Samut Sakhon Province were evaluated. Preschool children (4- to 5-year-old children) were recruited. The participants’ parents completed a questionnaire regarding their children’s demographic and socio-economic backgrounds and their oral health-related behaviors. Dental caries status and oral hygiene were recorded using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (dmft) and visible plaque index (VPI), respectively. In total, 308 children completed the oral examination (93.9% response rate). The mean age of the children was 5.1 ± 0.5 years old. Among them, 249 children (80.8%) had dental caries (dmft > 0) and their mean dmft score (SD) was 8.2 (4.7). The children’s age, VPI, primary caregiver, age of starting tooth brushing, assisted tooth brushing, and mother’s education level were significantly associated with dental caries (X2test, p < 0.05). The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that older children with a higher VPI score and whose mothers had lower education had a significantly higher risk of having dental caries (p < 0.05). Caries prevalence was high among the evaluated Thai preschool children. The child’s age, visible dental plaque, and mother’s educational level are significant risk factors for dental caries.

Association between Bifidobacterium and Scardovia Wiggsiae and caries-related factors in severe early childhood caries and caries-free Thai children: a quantitative real-time PCR analysis and a questionnaire cross-sectional study

AIMS

To quantitatively identify Bifidobacterium, S. wiggsiae and S. mutans in plaque samples obtained from children with severe-ECC and caries-free groups and to analyze their association with caries-related factors retrieved from the questionnaire in each group.

STUDY DESIGN

To establish the 2 study groups, clinical examination in 122 Thai children, aged 2-5 years, recorded decayed, missing and filled teeth scores (dmft), in addition to plaque and gingival indices. Sixty one children in the caries-free group and 61 in the S-ECC group were identified. A questionnaire was used to assess the parent's attitudes and behavior regarding the child's oral hygiene care and diet.

METHODS

Pooled overnight supra gingival plaque was collected from each child using a sterile toothpick, released in 1 ml of TE buffer, transported on ice to the Laboratory and stored at  - 20 °C. DNA was extracted from the plaque based on enzymatic lysis and quantitative real-time PCR using fluorescent dye (SYBR green) in addition to Agarose gel electrophoresis were performed. All laboratory and retrieved from the questionnaire data per child were recorded and statistically analysed.

RESULTS

S. wiggsiae (p < 0.005) and S. mutans (p < 0.001) were higher in the S-ECC group. Bifidobacterium, S. mutans, and S. wiggsiae were associated with the dmft score and gingival index (p < 0.001). The dmft scores of children who detected only S. mutans were significantly lower than the dmft scores of children who detected two bacteria; S. mutans + S. wiggsiae (p = 0.028), S. mutans + Bifidobacterium (p = 0.026), and three bacteria; S. mutans + Bifidobacterium + S. wiggsiae (p = 0.007). Children who found all three bacteria (Bi + Sm + Sw) had the highest dmft scores, followed by children who had two bacteria (Bi + Sw, or Bi + Sm, or Sw + Sm). The guardians' education levels, occupations, household income, prolonged bottle feeding, taking of water after bottle or breast feeding, eating sugar-coated crackers or bread with sweetened cream, and premature birth were the factors that related to S-ECC.

CONCLUSION

Levels of S. wiggsiae and S. mutans, guardian's education, family economics, prolonged bottle feeding, eating high sugar-containing snacks and premature birth were associated with S-ECC.

Strategic Management of Early Childhood Caries in Thailand: A Critical Overview

The aim of this report was to advocate early childhood caries (ECC) and share strategic management in Thailand, despite over two decades of free Universal Health Coverage including oral healthcare. The recent Thai national oral health survey in 2017 indicates the very high prevalence of ECC, with an average of three carious teeth affected in 53% of 3-year-old children. This is despite the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health that has launched several interventional programs ranging from an upstream policy that prohibits sugar additions in baby formula milk to downstream remediations such as advocating and encouraging toothbrushing with fluoride toothpastes. Nevertheless, ECC is strongly predicated by other key factors including the family and community commitment and participation, as embodied in the current World Health Organization guidelines. These encompass three different tiers of community-level prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Accordingly, the following strategies for ECC management in Thailand should be based at primary care clusters (PCC) in sub-district health centers, with the assistance of inter-professional health teams. These include community education on the importance of deciduous teeth and effective toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste (primary prevention), regular examination and detection of ECC lesions and early intervention (secondary prevention), insertion of non-invasive preventive restorations using cost-effective atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) or simplified and modified ART (SMART) (tertiary prevention), and, finally, effective follow-up and monitoring systems. It is anticipated that this triple tier approach to ECC management will improve not only the oral health but also the overall children's health.