Early Childhood Caries in pre-school children of Lisbon (International Caries Detection and Assessment System II criteria)

Objectives: This study pretends to contribute knowledge of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in the Portuguese population. To study in children aged 3 to 5 years-old, who attended kindergarten of Lisbon District: 1) the prevalence of ECC; 2) the severity of the ECC(dmft index); 3) the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence and severity of ECC. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a random sample consisting of 443 children. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire applied to parents of children and an intraoral observation. Caries diagnosis using ICDAS II criteria were performed by a trained and calibrated examiner. Questionnaire collected the socio-demographic variables. Statistical analyse include description of variables and chi 2, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (alpha = 0.05). Results: Prevalence of ECC was 56.4% and average d(A-6)mft 2.5 (SD = 3.43). Considering only cavitated lesions (corresponding to WHO criteria) caries prevalence was 26% and d(4-6)mft 0.9. The vast majority of caries lesions had no treatment (90.6%). The kindergarten type (public, private or government supported) and the mother's education were the main factors associated with ECC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: ECC prevalence and severity can be considered alarming in consideration the age of the participants, demonstrating the need for early intervention. Mother's education and the kindergarten type can be used as indicators for the implementation of risk strategies in the population. (C) 2015 Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentaria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.