Pufa Index and Related Factors Among 36- to 71-month-old Children in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Public Health
• Oral Health Epidemiology

Background:

• Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a prevalent issue in preschool children.
• Untreated dental caries can lead to significant clinical consequences affecting oral health and overall well-being.
• The pufa index provides a standardized method to assess the clinical impact of untreated caries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries in preschool children using the pufa index.
• To identify risk factors associated with the presence of severe untreated caries consequences.
• To inform public health strategies for managing ECC in young children.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted with 729 preschool children in Ankara, Turkey.
• Dental caries and its consequences were assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II and the pufa index.
• Data on risk factors were collected via questionnaires, and associations were analyzed using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• The study found a high prevalence of ECC (73.8%), with 51.0% being severe cases.
• 17.5% of children with caries exhibited at least one pufa score, indicating severe untreated consequences.
• Logistic regression identified sex, sibling presence, extraction history, and father's education level as significant risk factors for pufa.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers must address the high burden of untreated caries and ECC in preschool populations.
• The findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for dental caries to prevent severe clinical consequences.
• Public health initiatives should consider identified risk factors to target preventive strategies effectively.