Prevalence of caries among preschool-aged children in a central Anatolian population

Abstract

Objective:Early childhood caries (ECC) is a particularly destructive form of tooth decay that afflicts young children. The etiology and associated factors of ECC should be studied adequately to overcome this health hazard. The aim of this study was to determine caries prevalence and its consequences in toddlers in an Anatolian city, Kırıkkale.Materials and Methods:Examinations were performed in family medicine centers by three calibrated dentists during a period of 6 months. The status of dental caries was recorded according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. We recorded the clinical indexes of decayed, missed, and filled teeth (DMFT and dmft; upper-case letters refer to permanent and lower-case letters to primary teeth), and decayed, missed, and filled surfaces (DMFS).Results:Totally 3171 toddlers were included (52% males and 48% females). The mean age was 25.8 ± 10.1 months. The prevalence of ECC in preschool children was 17.3%, while the mean df(t) was 0.63 ± 1.79. ECC increased significantly with age. Dental caries were mostly observed in primary maxillary central teeth. Occlusal and buccal surfaces were the most affected sites. The difference in distribution of caries between maxilla and mandibula was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusions:When compared to other data obtained from various epidemiologic studies, the toddlers living in Kırıkkale city center had a significant caries level. This observation had clearly suggested that early preventive measures should urgently be put into effect all over the city.

Caries pattern in three-year old preschool children

“…There are no differences in the incidence of caries on the mesial and distal surfaces of the first and second molar. 14,21 In the present study, the incidence of dental caries on the proximal surfaces of the molars was higher. In the maxilla and mandible, caries mostly involved distal surfaces of the first molars than mesial surfaces.…”

“…Analyzing the appearance of caries in molar teeth in children aged 8-60 months, Doğan et al noticed their more frequent appearance in the first molars followed by the second ones, in the maxilla and in the mandible, although in the mandible the numbers differed only slightly. 21 There are various reasons for the differing susceptibilities to caries, such as tooth surface morphology or posteruptive enamel maturation. The caries susceptibility of a tooth surface also varies over time and rises rapidly approximately 2-3 years after eruption.…”

“…12 Changes in the distribution of caries with age are confirmed by the examination of younger children whose occlusal and buccal surfaces were most affected by caries. 21 In a study by Doğan et al, an analysis of the distribution of caries on the surfaces of the particular teeth was performed. 21 In maxillary incisors caries involved mostly labial surfaces, then mesial ones.In the present study, caries occurred mostly on the mesial surface of the central incisors (significantly more often than distal surface), followed by the labial surface.…”

“…21 In a study by Doğan et al, an analysis of the distribution of caries on the surfaces of the particular teeth was performed. 21 In maxillary incisors caries involved mostly labial surfaces, then mesial ones.In the present study, caries occurred mostly on the mesial surface of the central incisors (significantly more often than distal surface), followed by the labial surface. In the posterior maxillary teeth, the majority of carious lesions were located on the labial surfaces, slightly less often on proximal surfaces.…”

“…14,18,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In the examination of 3,171 Turkish children aged 8-60 months (mean age 25.8 ±10.11 months) caries were mainly observed in the central incisors in the maxilla. 21 Similarly, among children in Łódź, maxillary central incisors were most often affected by dental caries. 23 Among 2,428 children from Arizona, aged 6-36 months, in the group of 3-years-old, 25% had diagnosed caries -16% in maxillary incisors, more often on interproximal surfaces than on smooth surfaces.…”