[Caries prevalence, nutrition and oral hygiene in children from 1 to 6.5 years of age].

Abstract

Worldwide, there are significant differences in caries prevalence among groups differing in socio-economic position. Understanding these differences is crucial to improving accessibility to oral healthcare for all population groups. Our study assessed caries prevalence and severity in a random sample of children aged 1 to 6.5 years from high and low socio-economic positions. At 4 years of age, 39% versus 57% of children of high and low socio-economic positions, respectively, had dental caries. This was 43% versus 72% at 6.5 years of age. The number of surfaces affected by caries and the percentage of carious teeth increased significantly over time among children with caries experience from low socio-economic positions. From the ages of 4 and 6.5 years, children with low socio-economic positions had significantly more carious surfaces and a higher percentage of carious teeth compared to those in the high socio-economic positions group. This emphasizes an inequality in caries experience among groups differing in socio-economic position.