Effect of Restriction of School Time Snacking on Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries

Background: Early Childhood Caries constitute a major public health concern in both developing and developed countries. Dietary sugar intake in the aetiology of ECC is pivotal and considered one of the most important risk factors and could come in form of unhealthy snacks. Aim: To compare the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in children attending schools with “No breaktime snacking” restrictions and those without. Also, this study assessed the relationship and severity of ECC between both groups. Results: The study population consisted of 158 children between 3-5 years old, 89 males (56.3%) and 69 females (43.7%). A total of 81 (51.3%) study participants were from schools where snacking was allowed, while 77 (48.7%) were from schools with no school time snacking. The majority of the participants (75.9%) had good oral hygiene. A higher prevalence of caries was seen among 3-year-olds (19.5%) and in females (20.3%) although this was not statistically significant. The presence of dental caries was higher in schools where snacking was allowed (19.8%) (P=0.157). The severity of dental caries in this study population was 0 (0.0%) determined using the pufa index. Conclusion: Although conclusive evidence supporting the restriction of school time snacking as a means to reduce ECC prevalence could not be inferred, this study provides insight into the complexity of ECC etiology and the need for multifaceted interventions addressing various risk factors including school time snacking, limitation of which may provide a way for reduction of caries development in preschool children.