Evaluation of caries experience in 3-6-year-old children, and dental attitudes amongst the caregivers in the Ludhiana city

Abstract

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a lifestyle disease that begins when the child's teeth erupt in the oral cavity. The distinctive pattern of decay rapidly spreads from one tooth to another and involves the surfaces of teeth that are usually not at risk. Detection of disease is crucial to control the oral condition using preventive and therapeutic regimes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of caries in children of age 3-6 years in Ludhiana and to examine the relationship between age and caries experience. A total of 609 children in the age group of 3-6 years were examined using def index. To determine dental care seeking attitude, 105 caregivers were interviewed. Results revealed that 52.87% of children in the age group of 3-3.11 years, 45.1% of children in the age group of 4-4.11 years and 58.55% of children in 5-5.11 age groups suffered from caries. The mean def index was 1.82, 1.57 and 2.21, respectively. Interview of caregivers of children revealed that out of 105 only 12 (11.4%) children had previously been to a general dentist. None of them knew about Pedodontics as a specialty. The results of the present study can be used mainly for screening child populations in need of treatment, helping public workers and planners to develop dental health programs to aid early intervention and prevention.

Role of fluoride varnish in preventing early childhood caries: A systematic review

“…[121314151617] In the Middle East, the prevalence of ECC has been reported to be between 22% and 61% and in Africa, between 38% and 45%. [18192021] In India, a prevalence rate of 44% has been reported,[22] with a study reporting a prevalence of 52.87%,[23] and 54.1% in the preschool children of Hubli and Dharwad. [24]…”

Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries and associated Risk Factors from 1 to 12 years Old Children

“…[3,8] Prevalence of dental caries is approximately 60% all around the world [20]. In previous studies prevalence of ECC in India is approximately 51% and 54.1% respectively [16,17]. Available data on dental caries reveal that Pakistan has been classified as a low caries country, on the positive side 50% of the children between the ages of 12-15 years are caries free and on the negative side 97% of all carious lesions remained untreated [13,19].…”

Comparison of the effectiveness of a mobile phone-based education program in educating mothers as oral health providers in two regions of Saudi Arabia

“…There have been several papers in the past decade that have shown that the lack of maternal education has been one of the key reasons for the spread of ECC. [20212223] This risk when combined with geographic and socioeconomic barriers to health-care results in clearly observable deterioration of oral health and increased rates of ECC. [2425262728]…”