Penatalaksanaan Komprehensif Early Childhood Caries: Pendekatan Preventif, Terapeutik, dan Edukasi Orang Tua – Laporan Kasus

Abstract: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a multifactorial, rapidly progressing dental disease that significantly affects young children's oral health and quality of life. Comprehensive management is essential to control infection, restore function, and prevent recurrence. This case report describes the integrated management of ECC in a pediatric patient through preventive, restorative, and educational approaches. We reported a 4-year-old girl presented with multiple carious lesions in the primary dentition, associated with pain and difficulty in mastication. Clinical and radiographic examinations confirmed extensive caries involvement without systemic complications. Treatment included caries risk assessment, behavior management, restorative procedures, pulp therapy where indicated, topical fluoride application, and parental education focusing on oral hygiene practices and dietary modification. Follow-up evaluation demonstrated satisfactory clinical outcomes, improved oral hygiene status, and enhanced parental compliance. In conclusion, this case highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach combining clinical intervention with caregiver education to achieve long-term success in early childhood caries management. Keywords: comprehensive management; caries prevention; early childhood caries; parental education Abstrak: Early childhood caries (ECC) merupakan penyakit gigi multifaktorial yang berkembang cepat dan secara nyata memengaruhi kesehatan rongga mulut serta kualitas hidup anak usia dini. Penatalaksanaan yang komprehensif sangat penting untuk mengendalikan infeksi, mengembalikan fungsi, dan mencegah kekambuhan. Laporan kasus ini menggambarkan penatalaksanaan ECC secara terintegrasi pada pasien seorang anak perempuan berusia 4 tahun melalui pendekatan preventif, restoratif, dan edukatif. Pasien datang dengan lesi karies multipel pada dentisi sulung yang disertai nyeri dan kesulitan dalam mengunyah. Pemeriksaan klinis dan radiografis mengonfirmasi keterlibatan karies yang luas tanpa komplikasi sistemik. Perawatan meliputi penilaian risiko karies, manajemen perilaku, prosedur restoratif, terapi pulpa sesuai indikasi, perawatan pit and fissure sealant, serta edukasi kepada orang tua yang berfokus pada praktik kebersihan mulut dan modifikasi pola makan. Evaluasi tindak lanjut menunjukkan hasil klinis yang memuaskan, peningkatan status kebersihan mulut, serta kepatuhan orang tua yang lebih baik terhadap anjuran preventif. Simpulan kasus ini ialah pentingnya pendekatan komprehensif yang mengintegrasikan intervensi klinis dan edukasi pengasuh untuk mencapai keberhasilan jangka panjang dalam penatalaksanaan early childhood caries. Kata kunci: penatalaksanaan komprehensif; pencegahan karies; early childhood caries; edukasi orang tua