Early Childhood Caries in Tehran, Iran

Objective: To describe the oral health status of children up to 3 years of age in Tehran, Iran. Methods: By cross-sectional design, the present study was performed at 18 randomly selected public health centers in Tehran covering two age groups (12 to 15 and 26 to 36 months) of children (n=323) and their mothers visiting the vaccination and development assessment offices of these centers. The mother was first interviewed with a pre-tested questionnaire, and then the child's teeth were examined in knee-to-knee position with the help of a headlamp and a plane dental mirror. Participation was by mother's permission. Criteria for caries diagnosis followed WHO recommendations. Dental plaque was visually inspected on central incisors and recorded as 0=none, 1=in gingival margin only, and 2=elsewhere. Early childhood caries (ECC) was described by the dmft index. Severe ECC (S-ECC) was defined as caries on smooth surfaces. Need for urgent dental care due to caries was recorded. Statistical evaluation was by chi-square test and t-test. Results: ECC was found in 3% of 12- to 15-month-olds and in 33% of the 26- to 36-month-olds. In the latter group mean dmft was 1.2 (SD=2.2). No gender differences appeared in these figures (p>0.05). Visible plaque occurred in 65% and S-ECC in 3% of the 12- to 15-month-olds. The corresponding figures for the 26- to 36-month-olds were 75% and 27%. Need for urgent dental care was the finding for 9% of the 26- to 36-month-olds. Conclusion: The high occurrence of visible plaque and ECC calls for improvement in oral health maintenance among Iranian mothers and others caring for small children.