title: Early childhood caries: overview and recent findings.
abstract: Early childhood caries is of epidemic proportions in some U.S. minority populations and in developing countries, yet a review of the literature reveals numerous conflicting reports and unanswered questions regarding the etiology and prevention of the disease. Better knowledge of the cause of early childhood caries and effective strategies to reduce its risk should produce enormous reductions in initial and long-term dental treatment costs, as well as the pain and suffering of affected children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tinanoff
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000191:economics; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003906:Developing Countries; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology