Risk factors for Early Childhood Caries in Italian preschoolers: A cross-sectional analysis

Aim Early childhood caries (ECC) represent a relevant public health issue in paediatric population globally. The current study aimed to investigate the main risk factors of this condition. Study design and methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out at the Child Dentistry Clinics of the Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Milan, Italy, including patients aged 12-71 months and their parents. Demographical data, anthropometric measurements, oral hygiene and health assessment, and children's eating habits were collected. Results An ECC prevalence of 72% was found. Oral hygiene practices resulted inadequate. Moreover, we found fruit juice consumption among children's eating habits higher than 3 times/ week. Mother's educational level, prenatal passive smoking, child's eating behaviour such as the introduction of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) before the age of 12 months and the number of SSBs drunk before the age of 24 months, and child's oral hygiene in terms of the start of teeth brushing (i.e., after 12 months of age) were correlated to dmft. The binomial logistic regression analysis confirmed a positive association between dmft and the mother's educational level (OR=2,36, CI 95%= 1,26- 4,4, p=0,007). Conclusion Our findings, according to recommendations, suggest that the prevention of ECC needs to begin in infancy. Oral health providers, physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel play an important role in educating parents about their child's oral and dental care and food choices.