Risk indicators for early childhood caries in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, patterns, and etiological factors for caries in children.


METHODS
A total of 981 children less than 6 years of age were examined using a dental mirror and explorer. A parent or a caregiver was asked to complete a questionnaire regarding information about the child, the household, and oral hygiene. The prevalence and patterns of dental caries including pit and fissure caries, facial/lingual caries, molar proximal caries, and facial/lingual molar proximal lesions, were analyzed. Each child was classified as caries free or as having one of these four caries patterns.


RESULTS
Weighted mean deft was 0.14 at age 2, 2.58 at age 3, 4.41 at age 4, 6.94 at age 5, and 7.31 at age 6. Weighted mean defs was 4.71, 8.44, 16.45 and 18.64 at ages 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively. By age 2, 5.09% of children had caries. By age 6, 89.38% of children had caries. By age 3, 30.02% of children fitted the facial and lingual pattern of caries and by age 6, 52.90% of children fit the 'facial-lingual and molar-proximal' pattern, indicating extensive smooth surface decay. The total prevalence of early childhood caries was 56%. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios identified factors associated with the high caries experience of the young children and found caries was strongly associated with the lack of proper tooth brushing and high consumption of sweets. Higher caries scores were also associated with areas of low urbanization.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this survey indicated a high level of untreated caries among children in Taiwan.
Tsai
Aileen I
AI
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chen
Chien-Yuan
CY
Li
Lung-An
LA
Hsiang
Chia-Lan
CL
Hsu
Kuang-Hung
KH
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000453:epidemiology; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D018881:Suburban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D019422:Dietary Sucrose