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Dietary patterns and dental caries in nursery school children in Nairobi, Kenya
E M Ngatia1, J K Imungi, J W Muita
1Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Insights
Nairobi nursery children show high rates of dental caries (63.5%) despite good fruit and milk intake, linked to frequent snacking. Age is a key factor in developing cavities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health Nutrition
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dental caries prevalence in young children is a significant global health issue.
- Dietary habits significantly influence oral health outcomes in early childhood.
- Understanding these factors in urban African settings is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dietary patterns and the prevalence of dental caries among nursery school children in Nairobi.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with dental caries in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 304 nursery school children (aged 3-5 years) in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Data collection included dietary assessments and oral examinations to determine caries prevalence and severity (dmft index).
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of dental caries (63.5%) was observed, with a mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index of 2.95.
- High daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, and milk was reported, alongside frequent snacking at home and school.
- The decayed component constituted 96% of the dmft index, indicating predominantly untreated caries; increasing age was the most significant predictor.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of dental caries, coupled with frequent consumption of refined foods and snacks, presents a major public health concern.
- There is a critical need for enhanced dietary counseling and preventive oral health programs integrated into primary healthcare.
- Policy interventions are recommended to regulate advertisements promoting cariogenic snacks to children.
Objective:
To determine the dietary patterns and the prevalence of dental caries among nursery school children in Nairobi.
Design:
A cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Nursery schools in Nairobi, Kenya.
Subjects:
Three hundred and four nursery school-children (149 males and 155 females) aged 3-5 years were assessed in 1997.
Results:
There was a high consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk on a daily basis. There was also a high consumption of snacks both at home and at school. About 96% of the children had been breastfed, while 41% had been bottle-fed. The prevalence of dental caries was high at 63.5% and a mean decayed, missing and filled teeth index (dmft) of 2.95, with the d-component comprising 96% of the total dmft. Only 1.3% of the children had filled teeth. Increasing age was the most predictive factor in dental caries.
Conclusion:
The high consumption of refined foods and snacks, as well as the high prevalence of dental caries raises a strong public health concern. It is recommended that dietary counselling and preventive oral health programmes should be initiated and the already existing ones strengthened and incorporated in primary healthcare programmes. There is also need for policy makers to come up with guidelines on advertisements promoting cariogenic snacks.
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