Associations of social and behavioural factors with early childhood caries in Xiamen city in China.
BACKGROUND
Early childhood caries (ECC) is the presence of caries in primary teeth in children 71 months of age or younger. Despite a decreasing prevalence of caries in China, ECC and related risk factors in China have not been well studied.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the status of ECC in children living in Xiamen city in China and to analyse the associated social and behaviour determinants.


METHODS
A stratified random sample consisted of 1523 children with normal birth records. Clinical examination was performed to record caries at the surface level. Parents filled in questionnaires regarding eating habits, family status, childcare provider, and oral intervention.


RESULTS
Prevalence of ECC in studied child population was 56.8-78.31%, with an increasing tendency with age. The following factors were found to be significantly associated with ECC: age, candy, carbonated drink, bedtime eating, late start of brushing, low education of parents, private childcare, increased number of siblings, rural residence, and lack of oral health knowledge. Using a stepwise forward logistic regression analysis, a prediction model was established.


CONCLUSIONS
Early childhood caries in children living in Xiamen city was strongly associated with eating habits, family- and childcare-related factors and tooth-brushing. The ECC-high-risk group is children in rural private childcare facilities.
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Yang
Y
Li
Ye
Y
Zhang
Ran
R
Yang
Qiong
Q
Zhang
Jing
J
Zou
Deying
D
Kang
D000367:Age Factors; D002182:Candy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002654:Child Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D014100:Toothpastes