Dental Caries (Early Childhood Caries, Tooth Decay, or Cavities)—Child Care and Schools


2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110021
Author(s):  
O.O. Olatosi ◽  
A.A. Alade ◽  
T. Naicker ◽  
T. Busch ◽  
A. Oyapero ◽  
...  

Introduction: Malnutrition in children is one of the most prevalent global health challenges, and malnourished children have a higher risk of death from childhood diseases. Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Complications from ECC such as pain, loss of tooth/teeth, and infection can undermine a child’s nutrition and growth. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the severity of decay, missing, and filled tooth (dmft) by nutritional status using the z scores of the anthropometric measurements: height for age (HFA), weight for age (WFA), weight for height (WFH), and body mass index for age (BMIA) among children with ECC in Nigeria. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 5 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used. Results: A total of 273 cases of ECC were included in the analyses (mean age 4.19 ± 0.96 y). Overall, the mean dmft was 3.04 ± 2.28, and most (96%) were accounted for by untreated decay. The distribution of dmft within the different z score categories of BMIA (<–3 = severely wasted, –2 to –3 = wasted, –2 to +2 = normal, +2 to +3 = overweight and >+3 = obese) showed the highest dmft scores among the combined severely wasted and wasted groups, lowest among children with normal z scores, and intermediate in the overweight and obese groups. There was a significant negative correlation between BMIA z score, WFH z score, and dmft ( r = −0.181, P < 0.05 and r = −0.143, P < 0.05, respectively). However, the correlations between HFA z score, WFA z score, and dmft were positive but not significant ( r = 0.048, P = 0.44 and r = 0.022, P = 0.77, respectively). Conclusion: Our study showed an increased severity of dental caries among severely wasted or wasted children with ECC compared to those of normal or overweight. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results from this study will raise awareness among clinicians and policy makers on the need for a primary prevention program for early childhood caries in countries with high burden of malnutrition and limited resources. Also, it will help draw the attention of clinicians to the caries status of malnourished children that can be managed to improve the nutritional outcomes.



Author(s):  
Priyanka Achalu ◽  
Abhishek Bhatia ◽  
Bathsheba Turton ◽  
Lucy Luna ◽  
Karen Sokal-Gutierrez

As communities worldwide shift from consuming traditional diets to more processed snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), increases in child obesity and tooth decay and persistence of undernutrition are particularly apparent in Latin American countries. Further evidence of shared risk factors between child undernutrition and poor oral health outcomes is needed to structure more effective health interventions for children’s nutrition. This study aims to identify dietary, oral health, and sociodemographic risk factors for child undernutrition and severe early childhood caries (sECC) among a convenience sample of 797 caregiver–child pairs from rural Salvadoran communities. Caregiver interviews on child dietary and oral health practices were conducted, and their children’s height, weight, and dental exam data were collected. Multivariable regression analyses were performed using RStudio (version 1.0.143). Caregiver use of SSBs in the baby bottle was identified as a common significant risk factor for child undernutrition (p = 0.011) and sECC (p = 0.047). Early childhood caries (p = 0.023) was also a risk factor for developing undernutrition. Future maternal–child health and nutrition programs should coordinate with oral health interventions to discourage feeding children SSBs in the baby bottle and to advocate for policies limiting SSB marketing to young children and their families.



2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Subramaniam ◽  
Revathy Suresh

Objective: Dental caries is both an infectious and transmissible disease. Maternal transfer of Mutans Streptococci occurs at an early age and is important in the initiation of dental caries in children. The aim of this study was to identify certain strains of Streptococcus mutans in mother-child pairs, of children with early childhood caries. Study design: Sixty mother-child pairs of healthy children aged 18–36 months were selected. Mothers with high levels of Streptococcus mutans in their saliva and only children with ECC were included. Dental plaque samples were collected from mother-child pairs. The plaque samples were stored, transferred to the laboratory and analyzed for Streptococcus mutans strains c, f, e and k, present in mother-child pairs using Real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis for level of similarity in Streptococcus mutans strains present in mother-child pairs. Results: A similar distribution of Streptococcus mutans strains c, f and k was identified in 28 mother-child pairs. Streptococcus mutans strain e was seen in 18 pairs. Conclusion: Less than 50% of mother-child pairs showed similarity in distribution of Streptococcus mutans strains.







2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Fajriani Fajriani ◽  
Hendrastuty Handayani

Early childhood caries (ECC), also known as milk bottle caries is a syndrome of severe tooth decay, occurs ininfants and children, is an infectious disease that develops rapidly and lead to health problems in children. Thissyndrome can be caused by inappropriate use of bottles. Most cases of untreated ECC to children aged 20 months.At this stage many children need serious treatment, because this will result in trauma to both the children andparents. The most common treatment ECC and other dental diseases have been included in each treatment ofdisease. Efforts to educate families about dental hygiene and practice start a diet, the high rate of recurrence of anyevidence of disease ranging from tooth decay to the failure of the treatment plan resulted in the need for specialattention to this disease. This paper is expected to be a good input for a dentist in the treatment of ECC



Author(s):  
Marvin So ◽  
Yianni A. Ellenikiotis ◽  
Hannah M. Husby ◽  
Cecilia Leonor Paz ◽  
Brittany Seymour ◽  
...  

Malnutrition and dental caries in early childhood remain persistent and intertwined global health challenges, particularly for indigenous and geographically-remote populations. To examine the prevalence and associations between early childhood dental caries, parent-reported mouth pain and malnutrition in the Amazonian region of Ecuador, we conducted a cross-sectional study of the oral health and nutrition status of 1,407 children from birth through age 6 in the &ldquo;Alli Kiru&rdquo; program (2011-2013). We used multivariate regression analysis to examine relationships between severe caries, parent-reported mouth pain measures, and nutritional status. The prevalence of dental caries was 65.4%, with 44.7% of children having deep or severe caries, and 33.8% reporting mouth pain. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth dmft) increased dramatically with age. Malnutrition was prevalent, with 35.9% of children stunted, 1.1% wasted, 7.4% underweight, and 6.8% overweight. As mouth pain increased in frequency, odds for severe caries increased. For each unit increase in mouth pain frequency interfering with sleeping, children had increased odds for underweight (AOR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.02 &ndash; 1.54) and decreased odds for overweight (AOR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58 &ndash; 0.97). This relationship was most pronounced among 3-6 year-olds. Early childhood caries, mouth pain and malnutrition were prevalent in this sample of young children. Parent-reported mouth pain was associated with severe caries, and mouth pain interfering with sleeping was predictive of poor nutritional status. We demonstrate the utility of a parsimonious parent-reported measure of mouth pain to predict young children&rsquo;s risk for severe early childhood caries and malnutrition, which has implications for community health interventions.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Chen ◽  
Karla Santo ◽  
Grace Wong ◽  
Woosung Sohn ◽  
Heiko Spallek ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Dental caries is the most common multifactorial oral disease that affects 60-90% of the world’s population. It is highly preventable through prevention behaviours aimed at improving oral hygiene, adequate fluoride usage and diet intake. Mobile apps have the potential to support patients with dental caries but, little is known about the availability, target audience, quality and features of these apps. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to systematically examine dental caries prevention apps, describe their content, availability, target audience, features and to assess quality. METHODS We systematically identified and evaluated apps in a process paralleling a systematic review . This included; 1) search strategy using the search terms of dental caries, early childhood caries, tooth decay, dental caries prevention, early childhood caries prevention, tooth decay prevention, saliva, and fluoride 2) eligibility assessment, using inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on accessibility and dental caries self-management behaviors including oral hygiene, dietary intake and fluoride usage, 3) data extraction, on app characteristics including app store metrics, 4) prevention behaviour factor categorization 5) feature identification and description 6) quality appraisal of all apps using the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) assessment tool 7) data comparison and analysis. RESULTS Our search strategy retrieved 562 apps from the Google Play and iTunes store available in Australia. Of those, 40 apps fit our eligibility criteria and 55%(22/40) targeted adults, 93%(37/40) were free to download and 65%(26/ 40) were recently updated. Oral hygiene was the most common dental caries prevention behavior domain addressed in 93% (37/ 40) of the apps, while dietary intake was addressed in 45% (18/40) and fluoride usage in 42% (17/40). Overall 50% (20/40) addressed only one behaviour and 38%(15/40) addressed all three behaviours. The mean MARS score was 2.9 (range 1.8-4.4), with 45% (18/ 40) apps categorized as high quality, with a rating above 3.0 out of 5.0. We identified 21 distinctive features, across all dental caries prevention behaviors; however, the top 5 most common features focused on oral hygiene. The highest-ranking app was the ‘Brush DJ’ app with an overall MARS score of 4.4, had the highest number of features(n=13). We did not find any apps that adequately addressed dental caries prevention behaviors for very young children. CONCLUSIONS Apps addressing dental caries prevention behavior commonly focus on oral hygiene and many target young adults, but not many are of high quality. These apps utilized a range of features to support consumer engagement and some of these features may be helpful for specific patient populations. However, it is unclear how effective these apps are in improving dental caries outcomes and further evaluation is required before they are widely recommended. CLINICALTRIAL n



10.19082/4683 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 4683-4688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghibi Sistani ◽  
Zohreh Hataminia ◽  
Mahmoud Hajiahmadi ◽  
Effat Khodadadi


Author(s):  
Kristan Elwell ◽  
Carolyn Camplain ◽  
Christine Kirby ◽  
Katharine Sanderson ◽  
Gloria Grover ◽  
...  

In the United States, children from diverse ethnic groups and those with low socioeconomic status are at a significantly increased risk for early childhood caries. Despite the efforts focused on decreasing early childhood caries in American Indian (AI) populations, these children have the highest incidence of dental caries of any ethnic group, with four times the cases of untreated dental caries compared to white children. This qualitative formative assessment was conducted in two AI communities. Semi-structured interviews (n = 57) were conducted with caregivers and providers to understand the social and community contexts in which oral health behaviors and practices occur from the perspective of the caregivers, oral health care providers, and social service providers in the communities. The analysis was informed by the social determinants of health framework. The key social determinants of pediatric oral health relevant to our study communities included limited access to: oral health promoting nutritious foods, transportation for oral health appointments, and pediatric specialty care. This formative assessment provided locally and contextually relevant information to shape the development of an oral health clinical trial intervention to address early childhood caries in these two communities.



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