Early Childhood Caries Status and its relationship with Socio-Behavioral Factors among preschool children – A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: The study aims to identify the frequency of early childhood caries (ECC) and evaluate its relationship with socio-demographics, oral hygiene and dietary practices in preschool children of Karachi. Methods: This descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was executed in two public and two private schools of Karachi selected by randomization. Preschools children aged 3-5 years were examined for dental caries using examination instruments, while a structured questionnaire was employed for collecting data regarding socio-demographic and other study variables from parents/caretakers. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended oral health proforma was used to record caries status in terms of def scores. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed to explore factors associated with ECC. Results: Early childhood caries prevalence was 54.4% in children with a mean deft score of 1.9 ± 2.97. Decayed teeth component constituted about 2.7 ± 4.66, missing represented 0.52 ± 2.48 while filled component comprised of 0.04 ± 0.51 scores. A significant association (p =0.1) was found between dental caries and lower and lower-middle class (COR=1.41, 95% CI=0.87 – 2.26), and habit of brushing teeth once daily (COR=1.6, 95% CI=1.04-2.74). Only habitual snacking from canteen showed significance association with the presence of dental caries (p-value=0.03, AOR = 1.8, 95% CI=1.03-3.13) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: About fifty-four percent of preschoolers were found to be suffering from early childhood caries. A higher predominance regarding unmet oral health needs at present exists in our region; reported by a higher ‘decayed teeth’ score. Association between caries prevalence and lower socioeco-enomic class, brushing once daily and snacking during school recess hours has also been established. Therefore, customized oral health education strategies for hygiene maintenance, nutritional habits and regular dental attendance should be provided to educate children as well as their parents and guardians to prevent and control dental caries.