Early childhood caries lesions in preschool children in Kerala, India.
OBJECTIVE
No data are available on possible risk indicators or the prevalence of caries lesions for preschool children under 4 years of age in Kerala, southern India. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) to gather data on caries lesion frequency and distribution; (2) to determine any possible associations with feeding habits and oral health care practices.


METHODS
A sample of 530 children, aged from 8 to 48 months (mean=2.5+/-0.96 years), who attended 13 day care centers were clinically examined for caries lesions using a disposable mouth mirror, tongue spatula, and a torch light. There were 513 dentate children. The caregiver of each child then completed, by interview, a structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
Among the group of 252 girls and 278 boys, the dmft was 1.84+/-2.87 with 56% of the children being caries-lesion free. Fifty-nine (12%) were considered to have early childhood caries (ECC), based on the criteria that smooth surface caries lesions on all 4 maxillary incisor teeth indicated severe ECC. Breast-feeding was practiced by 99% of the mothers, and 5% did so exclusively. Generally, breast-feeding was on demand. Statistically significant correlations were found between caries lesions and the child's dental condition, as perceived by the mother or caregiver (P<.0001), the dental status of the caregiver (P=.0417), consumption of snacks (P=.0177), giving of sweets as a reward (P<.0001), cleaning of the child's mouth (P<.0001), oral hygiene status of the child (P<.0001) and low socioeconomic status, as measured by income (P<.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
From the results of this study of preschool children in Kerala, the groups at high risk from dental caries lesions are: (1) those with poor oral hygiene status; (2) those who consume snacks and are given sweets as rewards; (3) those belonging to a lower socioeconomic class.
Jose
Babu
B
Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
King
Nigel M
NM
D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D019422:Dietary Sucrose