Early Childhood Caries and Primary Caregiver Oral Health Literacy in Western Australia: a Systematic Scoping Review

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 health literacy and baseline data on Early childhood caries. The objective of this systematic scoping review is to understand current oral health literacy of primary caregivers of children aged 0 to 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 1980 and 2021, using Scopus, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, selected article reference lists, and oral health websites. Articles were screened via author consensus, with eight selected. Results Data on early childhood caries in Western Australia is limited; the suggested prevalence of 2.9% based on data over 15 years old, however national data suggests an Early childhood caries prevalence of 3.4–8% of children aged 18 months rising sharply by 36 months of age. Fewer than half the primary caregivers reported following evidence-based oral health recommendations for their young children. Engagement with dentists tended to be reactive. Knowledge of dietary and oral hygiene practices were inconsistent and awareness of the Child Dental Benefit Schedule low. Young children’s oral health status was clearly associated with socioecological factors including socioeconomic status. Conclusions Early childhood caries data and primary care-givers’ oral health literacy evidence are unavailable in Western Australia. To realise the Western Australia State Oral Health Plan, research is required to address this knowledge gap.

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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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Promotion of Oral Health Care in Infants - A Preventive Strategy to Reduce the Burden of Early Childhood Caries

Acta Scientific Dental Scienecs ◽

10.31080/asds.2020.04.0828 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 18-22

Author(s):

Subhathira Rajasekaran ◽

Sham S Bhat ◽

Vidya Bhat ◽

Sundeep Hegde K ◽

Neha Thilak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Oral Health Care ◽

Preventive Strategy ◽

Childhood Caries

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Effect of Sustained Interventions from Infancy to Toddlerhood in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate for Preventing Early Childhood Caries

Caries Research ◽

10.1159/000517210 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Sivasubramanian Abirami ◽

Noopur Panchanadikar ◽

Murugan Satta Muthu ◽

Suganya Balasubramanian ◽

Jyotsna Murthy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Cleft Lip ◽

Cleft Lip And Palate ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Primary Caregivers ◽

Assessment System ◽

Incidence Density ◽

Tooth Surfaces ◽

Childhood Caries

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sustained interventions in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) for preventing early childhood caries (ECC). This prospective, nonrandomized interventional cohort study was conducted in infants aged 0–12 months with congenital CLP. Interventions were given to parents/primary caregivers in the form of combined oral health-care measures (sterile wet gauze piece, finger brush, toothbrush, and toothpaste) by a motivational interviewing approach. Education of primary caregivers on oral hygiene was provided by audiovisual aids and demonstration. Reinforcement of the prescribed regimen was done through daily short message services in caregivers’ preferred language and bimonthly telephone calls. Participants were followed up for 9–32 months from the time of recruitment, with a mean period of 18.3 ± 5.1 months. Rates of dental caries were represented as prevalence rates, incidence density, and transitional probability. The distribution of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores on different tooth surfaces affected in the intervention group was compared descriptively with that of the age- and sex-matched historical control groups. On analysis of surface-wise distribution of the ICDAS scores in the intervention group (n = 1,919), 1.2% (n = 24) had noncavitated lesions (ICDAS codes 1 and 2), 0.88% (n = 17) had cavitated lesions (ICDAS codes 3–6), and 0.26% (n = 5) had both cavitated and noncavitated lesions (ICDAS codes 1–6). The incidence density of caries-affected children observed at the first and last follow-ups was 1.2 persons/100 person-months and 1.3 persons/100 person-months of observation, respectively. The incidence density of new caries-affected tooth surfaces at the first and last follow-ups was 0.163 surfaces/100 surface-months and 0.062 surfaces/100 surface-months, respectively. Maxillary first molars had the maximum transition from sound to the cavitated lesion (11.5%), followed by maxillary incisors from sound to noncavitated (7.5%) at the last follow-up. Based on the newly developed assessment criteria in our study, sustained interventions proved to be significantly effective in preventing ECC in children with CLP.

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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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The Impact of Maternal Self-Efficacy and Oral Health Beliefs on Early Childhood Caries in Latino Children

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2017.00228 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Anne R. Wilson ◽

Matthew J. Mulvahill ◽

Tamanna Tiwari

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Latino Children ◽

Oral Health Beliefs ◽

The Impact ◽

Childhood Caries

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Oral health promotion initiated during pregnancy successful in reducing early childhood caries

Evidence-Based Dentistry ◽

10.1038/sj.ebd.6400677 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 100-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Siobhan M Lucey

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Oral Health Promotion ◽

Childhood Caries

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Assessing the prevalence of early childhood caries and the associated determinants in a group of preschool children: results from a national oral health survey in Egypt

Egyptian Dental Journal ◽

10.21608/edj.2015.71243 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 31-39

Author(s):

Reham Abou El Fadl ◽

Mona Abdel Fattah ◽

Mona Ezz

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Childhood Caries

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Prevalence of Untreated Early Childhood Caries of 5-Year-Old Children in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182211934 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 11934

Author(s):

Faith Miaomiao Zheng ◽

Iliana Gehui Yan ◽

Duangporn Duangthip ◽

Sherry Shiqian Gao ◽

Edward Chin Man Lo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Education Level ◽

Demographic Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related ◽

Childhood Caries

This cross-sectional survey investigated untreated early childhood caries (ECC) and its associated factors among 5-year-old children in Hong Kong. Children were recruited using a multistage sampling method. One dentist examined the children in kindergarten to diagnose untreated ECC (dt) at the cavitation level. Each child’s demographic information, snacking behaviour, and oral health-related practice were collected using a parental questionnaire. The relationships between the untreated ECC and demographic information, snacking behaviours, and oral health-–related practice were analysed by zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression analysis. This survey recruited 404 children. Their dt score was 2.8 ± 3.8. The significant untreated ECC (SiUC) index, which was one-third of the children with the highest dt score, was 7.1 ± 3.6. Their untreated ECC prevalence was 57%, which was associated with the district the child lived in. Most children with untreated ECC (71%, 164/231) had never visited a dentist. Children who brushed without toothpaste had more untreated ECC. Children coming from low-income families and with a lower maternal education level had a higher risk of ECC. In conclusion, untreated ECC was prevalent and unevenly distributed among 5-year-old children in Hong Kong. Its prevalence was associated with toothpaste use, family income, maternal education level and the district they lived in.

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Feeding practices and prevalence of early childhood caries among preschool children in urban and rural areas of Kannur district

International Journal of Dental Research ◽

10.14419/ijdr.v4i1.5770 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Aswathi Sreedharan ◽

Faizal CP ◽

Chandru TP

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Oral Health ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Knowledge ◽

Hygiene Measures ◽

Childhood Caries

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among children. Lack of proper Parental knowledge regarding feeding practices will have a deleterious effect on child oral health.Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of ECC and parental knowledge regarding feeding practices in young children.Methods: 500 preschool children aged between 36-60 months, were selected from twenty schools. The children’s were examined at the respective schools to determine the presence or absence of caries by using WHO criteria .A structured questionnaire was provided to 500 parents of the respective school children examined to assess their knowledge regarding feeding practices and oral hygiene measures in preschool children for prevention of ECCResult: The results of the children examined and the parent surveyed were tabulated and statistically analyzed by using chi-square test. The result showed that the prevalence rate of ECC among 500 children surveyed were about 56.3%.The knowledge regarding the feeding practices and oral hygiene measures overall was found to be 56.5%Conclusion: The prevalence of ECC was relatively high among the preschool children. The feeding practices and oral hygiene measures among parents was more off supporting the promotion of ECC. More emphasis should be given regarding introduction of oral hygiene practice from the first year of child’s life and also to conduct public awareness programme to achieve optimum oral health care in children.

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