title: Dental erosion prevalence and associated risk indicators among preschool children in Athens, Greece.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to investigate dental erosion prevalence, distribution and severity in Greek preschool children attending public kindergartens in the prefecture of Attica, Greece and to determine the effect of dental caries, oral hygiene level, socio-economic factors, dental behavior, erosion related medication and chronic illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random and stratified sample of 605 Greek preschool children was clinically examined for dental erosion using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination Index (ΒΕWE). Dental caries (dmfs) and Simplified Debris Index were also recorded. The data concerning possible risk indicators were derived by a questionnaire. Zero-inflated Poisson regression was generated to test the predictive effects of the independent variables on dental erosion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of dental erosion was 78.8 %, and the mean and SE of BEWE index was 3.64 ± 0.15. High monthly family income was positively related to ΒΕWE cumulative scores [RR = 1.204 (1.016-1.427)], while high maternal education level [RR = 0.872 (0.771-0.986)] and poor oral hygiene level [DI-s, RR = 0.584 (0.450-0.756)] showed a negative association.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental erosion is a common oral disease in Greek preschool children in Attica, related to oral hygiene and socio-economic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Programs aimed at erosion prevention should begin at an early age for all children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Dental School, University of Athens, 2 Thivon St., 115 27 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Magdalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mantonanaki
authors.forename: Haroula
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koletsi-Kounari
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mamai-Homata
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data