IADR Abstract Archives
Case-Control Study of Early Childhood Caries in Tunisia.
Objectives: To investigate early childhood caries (ECC) risk indicators in the region of Monastir, Tunisia.
Methods: The present study was conducted as a case-control study on a sample of 176 preschool children aged less than 6 years. ECC cases were recruited from childcare facilities, public hospitals and private specialist clinics to source children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Non-ECC controls were recruited from the same childcare facilities. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were generated. Univariate analysis and multinomial logistic modelling approach were performed to assess the association between ECC and the associated risk factors.
Results: Results of the present study showed a statistically significant relationship between the families annual income level and ECC (p<0.05).
Compared to ECC-free controls, the risk indicators specific to childcare cases were difficulty in cleaning child's teeth, sweetened drinks and maternal caries experience.
A mean breastfeeding duration of 14.69 ±1.08 months and a statistically significant relationship between breastfeeding duration, bottle feeding at night and the presence of carious lesions in children were reported (p<0.05). Among all the participants poor oral hygiene and previous caries experience were related to caries increment (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The lack of parental familiarity in managing children, feeding at night; using sugar-based food and soft drink were found to be statistically associated risk factors for dental caries in Tunisian preschool children.
Methods: The present study was conducted as a case-control study on a sample of 176 preschool children aged less than 6 years. ECC cases were recruited from childcare facilities, public hospitals and private specialist clinics to source children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Non-ECC controls were recruited from the same childcare facilities. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were generated. Univariate analysis and multinomial logistic modelling approach were performed to assess the association between ECC and the associated risk factors.
Results: Results of the present study showed a statistically significant relationship between the families annual income level and ECC (p<0.05).
Compared to ECC-free controls, the risk indicators specific to childcare cases were difficulty in cleaning child's teeth, sweetened drinks and maternal caries experience.
A mean breastfeeding duration of 14.69 ±1.08 months and a statistically significant relationship between breastfeeding duration, bottle feeding at night and the presence of carious lesions in children were reported (p<0.05). Among all the participants poor oral hygiene and previous caries experience were related to caries increment (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The lack of parental familiarity in managing children, feeding at night; using sugar-based food and soft drink were found to be statistically associated risk factors for dental caries in Tunisian preschool children.