title: Early childhood caries--a review.
abstract: Early childhood caries (ECC) is rampant caries of the primary dentition of infants and toddlers. It represents a serious problem in dentistry as it progresses rapidly and affects young children. There is a need to identify risk factors for ECC so that targeted, cost-effective interventions can be designed. The literature indicates that immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further dental destruction, as well as more widespread health problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Currently, some 4 out of 10 children starting school have decay in their primary dentition. It is prudent for dentists who diagnose ECC to provide therapy or, if treatment is not possible as a result of the young age of the child and limited co-operation, then it is important to refer the patient to an appropriately trained individual for therapy.
authors: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Division of Child Dental Health, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors: Sangeeta
authors: S
authors: Misra
authors: Jinous F
authors: JF
authors: Tahmassebi
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Brosnan
mesh_terms: D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012307:Risk Factors; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous