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Risk factors of early childhood caries (ECC) among children in Beijing - a prospective cohort study

Can Can Fan1,2, Wen Hui Wang1, Tao Xu3

  • 1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, 22 Zhongguancun Avenue South, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.

BMC Oral Health
|February 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

High plaque mutans streptococci levels are a key risk factor for early childhood caries (ECC) in preschool children. Previous caries experience also significantly contributes to ECC development in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Oral Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early childhood caries (ECC) presents a significant oral health challenge in China, characterized by high prevalence and low treatment rates.
  • Research specifically addressing ECC in preschool children remains limited.
  • This study investigated the risk factors associated with ECC in preschool children in Beijing, China.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and analyze the risk factors contributing to the development of early childhood caries (ECC) in a cohort of preschool children.
  • To provide data for targeted prevention and intervention strategies for ECC in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving 712 children (mean age 46.37 months).
  • Data collection included baseline questionnaires, plaque and saliva mutans streptococci (MS) levels (Dentocult SM strips), and dental caries assessment (WHO 1997 criteria).
  • Multivariate analysis using negative binomial regression was employed to identify factors related to caries development over a 1-year follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • For caries-free children at baseline, elevated plaque mutans streptococci (PMS) levels were the sole significant predictor of caries development (OR=1.68, P=0.02).
  • Children with high PMS levels exhibited higher caries incidence (46.2%) and greater caries increment (1.87) compared to those with low PMS levels.
  • Across all participants, both high PMS levels (OR=1.69, P<0.001) and prior caries experience (OR=2.80, P<0.001) were significantly associated with caries increment.

Conclusions:

  • High plaque mutans streptococci levels are a critical risk factor for early childhood caries in previously caries-free preschool children.
  • In the overall preschool population, both high plaque mutans streptococci levels and previous caries experience are significant risk factors for caries development.
Abstract

Keywords:
Early childhood cariesMutans streptococciPrevious caries experienceRisk factors

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