Early Childhood Caries Among Kindergarten School Children in Harar Town, Eastern Ethiopia

Early childhood caries is the most prevalent dental disease among children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and its determinants among kindergarten children. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 507 participants from January 1 to 30, 2023. The prevalence of ECC was 64.7% (95% CI: 60.5-68.9). Being in kindergarten two (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.17-3.46) and three (AOR = 2.50, 95 % CI: 1.43-4.36), primary level of mother education (AOR = 4.21, 95% CI:1.87-9.48), bottle-feeding practice (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.81-4.59), higher sweet consumption (AOR = 6.83, 95% CI: 4.31-10.83), did not brushing teeth (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.15-2.88) and poor oral hygiene (AOR = 4.95, 95% CI: 2.60-9.43) were the main risk factors of ECC. Almost two in every three kindergarten children have ECC in Harar Town, eastern Ethiopia. Providing oral health promotion on healthy feeding and oral hygiene practice is essential to prevent ECC and its consequences.