Risk indicators for early childhood caries in 2-year-old children in southern China

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between early childhood caries (ECC) and relevant socio-economic, behavioural and biological experiences in the life course of children.

A cross-sectional study of 2-year-old children was analysed. A questionnaire collected socio-economic and behavioural data during the first two years of the participants' life. Caries experience was recorded at the level of cavitation and oral hygiene was assessed using the Visible Plaque Index (VPI). Microbiological investigation collected information on colony-forming units (CFU) of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The outcome was ECC. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

The study included 394 children, with 109 having ECC and 285 being caries-free. The mean decayed, missing and filled primary teeth (dmft) score of the ECC group was 3.65 ± 3.12, with decayed teeth making up 100% of the score. The results of the final logistic regression analysis showed that ECC was significantly associated with the mother's schooling at child's birth [<12 years vs. ≥12 years, OR = 1.80], VPI score [>60% vs. 0-20%, OR = 5.71], and S. mutans [≥10(5) CFU/ml vs. 0 CFU/ml, OR = 3.80].

Social, behavioural and biological factors during the life course of 2-year-old children in southern China are associated with the development of ECC.