ABSTRACT

Background: Early Child hood Caries (ECC) is a common oral health problem in pre-school children, found in both developed and under developed countries.

Aim: To determine the frequency of ECC and associated risk factors in children age 6-60 months .

Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was carried out over 6 months from September 2020 to February 2021, in the Pediatric Department of Multan Medical and Dental College. 500 children of age 6-60 months were included in the study. By using a questionnaire, guardians were asked about child age, gender, feeding pattern, nocturnal feeding, maternal literacy level, parental residence. Oral hygiene of the child was examined by 2 dental surgeons. Chi square test for used for categorical data and data was entered on SPSS version 21.

Results: Frequency of ECC was 22% in our study. Child feeding pattern, nocturnal feeding, and mother’s literacy level had significant association with ECC.

Conclusion: Frequency of ECC in patients presenting to the pediatric department of MMDC was found to be 22%. Emphasis should be given to the early child visit at dental department as the first tooth erupts in the oral cavity for prevention and early detection of early child hood caries.

Keywords: Early childhood carries, risk factors