The prevalence and risk factors of Early Childhood Caries among 3-year-old children in Wenzhou

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among 3-year-old children in Wenzhou China. Methods Kindergarten children aged 3 were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling method. Dental examinations were conducted by one trained dentist, and oral health-related data were collected. Examinations were surface-specific for dental caries, following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Bivariate tests and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between ECC and different risk factors. Results A total of 693 children were recruited for the study, and 445 completed the dental examination. Among the 445 children, the prevalence of ECC was 59.8%. The mean decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) was 2.9, and of the total dmft, only 6.3% were filled. The mean decayed, missing, and filled primary surface (dmfs) was 4.9. Logistic regression analyses identified age and parents’ oral health knowledge level were associated with the experience of ECC (P<0.05). Conclusions A higher prevalence of ECC was observed and most of the carious teeth were untreated. The experience of ECC was related to age and parents’ oral health knowledge level.

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The prevalence and risk factors of Early Childhood Caries among 3-year-old children in Wenzhou

10.21203/rs.2.10250/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Liqin Mei ◽

Zhiyuan Wei ◽

Qiao Li ◽

Xiping Wang

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Level ◽

Oral Health Knowledge ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among 3-year-old children in Wenzhou China. Methods: Preschool children aged 3 were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling method. Dental examinations were carried out by one trained dentist, and oral health-related data were collected. Examinations were surface-specific for dental caries, following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Bivariate tests and logistic regression models were used to investigate the risk factors of dental caries. Results: A total of 693 children were recruited for the study, and 445 completed the dental examination. Among the 445 children, the prevalence of ECC was 59.8%. The mean decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) was 2.9, and of the total dmft, only 6.3% were filled. The mean decayed, missing, and filled primary surface (dmfs) was 4.9. Logistic regression analyses identified age and parents’ oral health knowledge level were associated with the experience of ECC (P<0.05). Conclusions: A higher prevalence of ECC was observed and most of the carious teeth were not restored. The experience of ECC was related to age and parents’ oral health knowledge level.

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Long-term effectiveness of the Midwifery Initiated Oral Health-Dental Service Program on maternal oral health knowledge, preventative dental behaviours and the oral health status of children in Australia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-723870/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ajesh George ◽

Ariana Kong ◽

Mariana Sousa ◽

Amy Villarosa ◽

Shilpi Ajwani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Oral Health Status ◽

Dental Service ◽

Oral Health Knowledge ◽

And Control ◽

Childhood Caries

Abstract Background Early childhood caries remains a public health challenge and many interventions to manage this disease have focused on prevention during early infancy. Promoting oral health during pregnancy may also improve the oral health of children, however, there is limited evidence in Australia. The Midwifery Initiated Oral Health-Dental Service (MIOH-DS) was developed to train midwives to promote maternal oral health and a large trial showed the program substantially improved the oral health status, knowledge and behaviours of pregnant women. This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of the program (post trial) on maternal oral health knowledge, preventative dental behaviours, and early childhood caries in offspring. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in three large metropolitan health services in Sydney, Australia. The study followed 204 women and their children three to four years after participating in the original MIOH-DS trial (intervention and control groups). The outcome measures included child dental decay (cariogenic bacteria), and a maternal oral health knowledge and behaviours questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the main outcomes and a regression model was constructed to explore predictors of dental decay among children. Results There were no significant differences across the outcome measures between the MIOH-DS participants (mother/child) and control groups except for a small difference in maternal oral health knowledge. Most mothers across both groups demonstrated high oral health knowledge and positive oral health practices, and the regression model found that these outcomes provided a protective effect (low levels of bacteria and dental caries) among children. Some aspects of oral health remained poorly understood by mothers across both groups―the oral health impact of sugary foods and drinks, at-risk feeding practices, and the recommended age for first dental visits. Conclusions The long-term impact of the program demonstrates the effectiveness of improving maternal oral health knowledge and preventative behaviours to reduce the risk of early childhood caries, although the specific effect of the MIOH-DS program was not found. Although oral health knowledge was high across participants the findings suggest the need for reinforced education around feeding, diet and dental visiting through postnatal early childhood services to show sustained improvements.

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Early childhood caries, primary caregiver oral health knowledge and behaviours and associated sociological factors in Australia: a systematic scoping review

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01887-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lesley Andrew ◽

Ruth Wallace ◽

Nicole Wickens ◽

Jilen Patel

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Western Australia ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Primary Caregivers ◽

Oral Health Knowledge ◽

Western Australian ◽

Childhood Caries

Abstract Background Early childhood caries disproportionately affects vulnerable groups and remains a leading cause of preventable hospital admissions for Western Australian children. The Western Australia State Oral Health Plan seeks to improve child oral health through universal and targeted health promotion initiatives with primary caregivers. These initiatives require evidence of primary caregiver oral health knowledge and behaviours and baseline data on early childhood caries. The objective of this systematic scoping review was to understand current oral health knowledge and practices of primary caregivers of children aged 0–4 years, identify influential socioecological determinants, and identify data on early childhood caries in the Western Australian context. Methods A systematic scoping review framework identified articles published between 2010 and 2021, using Scopus, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, selected article reference lists, and oral health websites. The lack of Western Australian specific literature prompted the inclusion of Australia-wide articles. Articles were screened via author consensus, with eight selected. Results Western Australia and nation-wide data on early childhood caries are limited and mostly dated. WA data from children aged 2–3 years, collected in 2006, suggests the prevalence is 2.9% in this state, with national data of children from 0 to 3 years, collected from 2006 and 2008, suggesting an early childhood caries prevalence of 3.4–8% of children aged 18 months, rising sharply by 36 months of age. Nationally, fewer than half the primary caregivers reported following evidence-based oral health recommendations for their young children. Perceptions of the role of dental services for young children tends to be focussed on treatment, rather than surveillance and prevention. Knowledge of dietary and oral hygiene practices is inconsistent and awareness of the Child Dental Benefit Schedule low. Young children’s oral health status is clearly associated with socioecological factors, including socioeconomic status. Conclusions Recent early childhood caries data and evidence of primary care-givers’ oral health knowledge and behaviours are unavailable in Western Australia, a similar situation exists nationwide. To realise the Western Australian and National Oral Health Plans, research is required to address this knowledge gap.

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Long-Term Effectiveness of the Midwifery Initiated Oral Health-Dental Service Program on Maternal Oral Health Knowledge, Preventative Dental Behaviours and the Oral Health Status Of Children In Australia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-723870/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ajesh George ◽

Ariana Kong ◽

Mariana Sousa ◽

Amy Villarosa ◽

Shilpi Ajwani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Oral Health Status ◽

Dental Service ◽

Oral Health Knowledge ◽

And Control ◽

Childhood Caries

Abstract Background: Early childhood caries remains a public health challenge and many interventions to manage this disease have focused on prevention during early infancy. Promoting oral health during pregnancy may also improve the oral health of children, however, there is limited evidence in Australia. The Midwifery Initiated Oral Health-Dental Service (MIOH-DS) was developed to train midwives to promote maternal oral health and a large trial showed the program substantially improved the oral health status, knowledge and behaviours of pregnant women. This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of the program (post trial) on maternal oral health knowledge, preventative dental behaviours, and early childhood caries in offspring.Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in three large metropolitan health services in Sydney, Australia. The study followed 204 women and their children three to four years after participating in the original MIOH-DS trial (intervention and control groups). The outcome measures included child dental decay (cariogenic bacteria), and a maternal oral health knowledge and behaviours questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the main outcomes and a regression model was constructed to explore predictors of dental decay among children.Results: There were no significant differences across the outcome measures between the MIOH-DS participants (mother/child) and control groups except for a small difference in maternal oral health knowledge. Most mothers across both groups demonstrated high oral health knowledge and positive oral health practices, and the regression model found that these outcomes provided a protective effect (low levels of bacteria and dental caries) among children. Some aspects of oral health remained poorly understood by mothers across both groups―the oral health impact of sugary foods and drinks, at-risk feeding practices, and the recommended age for first dental visits.Conclusions: The long-term impact of the program demonstrates the effectiveness of improving maternal oral health knowledge and preventative behaviours to reduce the risk of early childhood caries, although the specific effect of the MIOH-DS program was not found. Although oral health knowledge was high across participants the findings suggest the need for reinforced education around feeding, diet and dental visiting through postnatal early childhood services to show sustained improvements.

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Sugary Liquids in the Baby Bottle: Risk for Child Undernutrition and Severe Tooth Decay in Rural El Salvador

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 260

Author(s):

Priyanka Achalu ◽

Abhishek Bhatia ◽

Bathsheba Turton ◽

Lucy Luna ◽

Karen Sokal-Gutierrez

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Tooth Decay ◽

Child Undernutrition ◽

Baby Bottle ◽

Childhood Caries

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.

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Prevalence and associated Risk Factors of Severe Early Childhood Caries in 12- to 36-month-old Children of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India

International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1431 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 183-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ritu G Mangla ◽

Raman Kapur ◽

Abhishek Dhindsa

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Day Care ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Himachal Pradesh ◽

Day Care Centers ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Severe Early Childhood Caries ◽

Childhood Caries

ABSTRACT Aim To assess the prevalence, distribution, and associated risk factors of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) among 12- to 36-month-old children of district Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Materials and methods The present study was conducted on a random sample of 510 children, both boys and girls, between 12 and 36 months of age randomly selected from various government-sponsored day-care centers, private day-care centers, and vaccination centers. Caries was recorded using World Health Organization criteria. Statistical analysis was done by using chi-square test and Mann–Whitney test. A two-sided p value was calculated for each statistical test. Multiple logistic regressions were done to calculate the risk of S-ECC from independent variables. Results In the present study, S-ECC was found in 21% of 510, 12 to 36 months old children of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. The S-ECC was found to be significantly higher in 25 to 36 months old children's age group and was 27.8% in them as compared with 8% in 12 to 24 months old children. Conclusion Providing anticipatory guidance and education to parents is essential for the promotion of optimal oral health of their children. There is a need for moving upstream to propose and implement policies and programs to improve the oral health of the very young, especially in a developing country like India, which lacks much data on S-ECC. How to cite this article Mangla RG, Kapur R, Dhindsa A, Madan M. Prevalence and associated Risk Factors of Severe Early Childhood Caries in 12- to 36-month-old Children of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(2):183-187.

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Oral Health Knowledge of Pregnant Women on Pregnancy Gingivitis and Children's Oral Health

Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ◽

10.17796/jcpd.39.2.n66w635638w643n7 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 105-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C Zhong ◽

KN Ma ◽

YS Wong ◽

Y So ◽

PC Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Oral Health Care ◽

Oral Disease ◽

Children’S Oral Health ◽

Childhood Caries

Objective: Pregnancy gingivitis and early childhood caries remain prevalent in Hong Kong. The aim of this study was to assess pregnant women's knowledge and beliefs related to pregnancy gingivitis and children's oral health. Study design: An outreach survey was carried out in a clinic that provided antenatal examination. A written oral health questionnaire related to pregnancy gingivitis and early childhood caries was administered to pregnant women. Of the 106 pregnant women who enrolled in the study, 100 completed the questionnaires. Results: Among the 100 subjects, only 39% correctly identified that hormonal changes contribute to pregnancy gingivitis. Only 36% identified red and swollen gums as signs of gingivitis. Furthermore, 53% of the surveyed pregnant women were not sure about the amount of toothpaste to administer to a child aged 18 months to 5 years. Almost 50% assumed that a replanted avulsed tooth would probably not survive within a short extra-alveolar period of less than 60 minutes. Conclusion: Prenatal women generally lack knowledge of a common oral disease that occurs during pregnancy and of what constitutes adequate oral health care for children. Oral health care education should be implemented as part of a prenatal care program.

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Development and evaluation of a gamified smart phone mobile health application for oral health promotion in early childhood: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-020-01374-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mitra Zolfaghari ◽

Mina Shirmohammadi ◽

Houra Shahhosseini ◽

Mehrshad Mokhtaran ◽

Simin Z. Mohebbi

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Plaque Index ◽

Oral Health Promotion ◽

Oral Health Knowledge ◽

Plaque Control ◽

The Mean ◽

Knowledge And Practice

Abstract Background This study aimed to design a gamified smartphone application (app) and assess its efficacy for education of mothers regarding oral healthcare of their children. Methods In this pretest–posttest controlled clinical trial, a simple app and a gamified version of it were designed to enhance the oral health knowledge and practice of mothers. The app contains information about early childhood caries, health diet, sugars, baby-oral hygiene, fluoride effect, fluoride toothpaste, tooth-brushing training video and regular dental visits. The opinion of experts and 3 mothers were obtained and both apps were revised accordingly. The intervention was implemented on mothers of preschoolers referring to the specialty dental clinic of Tehran School of Dentistry in 2019. The mothers were randomly allocated to the simple app or gamified app group. Before the intervention, all mothers filled out a questionnaire regarding oral health knowledge and practice, and their demographics were collected. The plaque index (PI) of children was also measured. The mothers filled out the same questionnaire 1 month after the intervention, and the PI of children was measured again. Paired t test and linear regression model were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results Totally, 58 mother and child pairs entered the study; 40% of children were boys. The mean age of children was 4.7 ± 1.2 years. The mean knowledge score of mothers in the pretest was 10.5 and 11.3 in simple app and gamified app group, respectively, which changed to 13.1 and 14.3, respectively in the posttest. The mean practice score of mothers was 4.4 and 4.8 in simple app and gamified app groups, respectively in the pretest, which changed to 8.5 and 8, respectively in the posttest. The mean dental plaque index of children in the pretest was 0.8 and 1 in simple app and gamified app groups, respectively, which changed to 0.5 and 0.5, respectively in the posttest. Children had better Plaque control in gamified app group (P < 0.05). Conclusion After 1 month, both apps effectively improved the oral-health knowledge and practice of mothers while oral hygiene as a result of plaque control was superior in children of mothers using the gamified app. Trial registration IRCT, IRCT20131102015238N2. Registered 24 February 2019—Retrospectively registered, https://fa.irct.ir/trial/36600.

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Randomized Trial of Motivational Interviewing to Prevent Early Childhood Caries in Public Housing

JDR Clinical & Translational Research ◽

10.1177/2380084418794377 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 353-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M.M. Henshaw ◽

B. Borrelli ◽

S.E. Gregorich ◽

B. Heaton ◽

E.M. Tooley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Public Housing ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sweetened Beverage ◽

Oral Health Behaviors ◽

Caries Increment ◽

The Mean ◽

Childhood Caries

Introduction: Caries experience among preschool-age children has remained relatively unchanged for the past 2 decades, despite recently documented decreases in untreated decay. Objectives: In a community-based cluster-randomized controlled trial, a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention administered to primary caregivers was hypothesized to reduce caries increment over 2 y as compared with controls, among children aged 0 to 5 y at baseline living in public housing. Methods: Public housing residents, who served as interventionists, were trained in MI with a focus on early childhood caries prevention. All 26 eligible public housing developments were randomized to either control (quarterly clinical examinations, fluoride varnish applications, toothbrush/toothpaste, and educational brochures) or intervention (same procedures as control plus MI counseling). Quarterly MI sessions were delivered in English or Spanish over 2 y, audio recorded, and assessed for treatment fidelity. The primary outcome was the increment in dmfs (decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces) as assessed by clinical examination at baseline, 12 mo, and 24 mo. Secondary outcomes included caregiver oral health knowledge and child oral health behaviors (child toothbrushing and sugar-sweetened beverage intake). Baseline characteristics were compared between groups and adjusted for housing-site clusters. Longitudinal outcomes were analyzed with mixed models. Results: A total of 1,065 children (49% female, 55% non-White, 61% Hispanic, 89% below poverty level, n = 686 control) and their caregivers were enrolled. During 2 y of follow-up, the mean dmfs increment increased in both groups; however, there were no statistically significant group differences at 24 mo or group × time interactions. The mean increase in intervention caregivers’ knowledge was significantly greater than that of control, F(2, 1,593) = 3.48, P = 0.0310, but there were no significant intervention effects on caregiver-reported child sugar-sweetened beverage intake or child toothbrushing. Conclusion: MI counseling plus intensive caries prevention activities resulted in knowledge increases but did not improve oral health behaviors or caries increment (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01205971). Knowledge Transfer Statement: When viewed in light of the findings from the companion Pine Ridge study and other recent MI studies, the results of this study suggest that when the complex disease of early childhood caries is addressed in high-risk populations, MI is not effective, and alternative approaches are warranted.

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