Social and Behavioural Risk Factors of Early Childhood Caries Among Children Aged 4–47 Months: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: This study aimed to investigate various risk factors for early childhood caries in a paediatric population in Edirne, Turkey. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1197 children aged 4–47 months old who visited family health centres for routine control. Questionnaires were used to collect data on parental- and pediatric-related variables potentially associated with early childhood caries. Oral hygiene was scored using the Visual Plaque Index, and decayed teeth, missing teeth, filled surfaces and carious teeth were recorded. We evaluated risk factors for early childhood caries using a hierarchical regression analysis model. Results: Of the 1197 children, 219 (18.3%) had dental caries. The mean age of the children in the caries group was 33±7 months old, and the mean filled surfaces and carious teeth values were 4.84±3.49 and 8.50±8.30, respectively. Younger age at the time of first tooth eruption, current height percentile higher than 96, poor oral hygiene, older age, having siblings, and paternal age younger than 30 years old at the time of the child’s birth were associated with an increased risk of early childhood caries. Conclusion: Prevention policies on caries among young children should focus on the first years of a child's life. Non-dental healthcare professionals may play an important role in being the first contact with parents in the healthcare system for anticipatory guidance. Keywords: oral health, dental caries, preschool children, risk factors, preventive care