Longitudinal assessment of early childhood caries increment and exploratory dmft progression among children of medical college employees

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the progression of early childhood caries (ECC) and identify its associated risk factors among preschool children of medical college employees. Methods From October 2021 to March 2023, baseline and two follow-up examinations were conducted on 3- to 4-year-old children at the kindergarten of Southern Medical University. An exploratory dmft progression indicator was defined to capture both new caries development and deterioration of teeth with baseline caries experience. Results A total of 252 children were included. The baseline ECC prevalence was 64.3%. After 17 months, the proportion of increment only was 56.3%, the proportion of deterioration only was 1.9%, and the proportion of both increment and deterioration was 8.0%. Modified Poisson regression confirmed that baseline caries and sugar intake before bedtime were independently associated factors for dmft increment, and parents’ caries was a independently associated factor for dmft deterioration. Conclusion Among children of medical university employees, ECC treatment proportion were high, with primary molars being the most frequently treated teeth. New caries increment showed a temporal anterior-to-posterior shift, while post-restorative caries consistently predominated in the maxillary primary central incisor. Additionally, baseline caries and bedtime sugar intake were correlates of dmft increment, whereas parental caries was correlates of dmft deterioration.