Factors Influencing Early Childhood Caries in a University-Based Infant Oral Health Clinic
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Introduction
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a major public health issue that poses significant challenges in pediatric dentistry, affecting infants and preschool children globally. Socioeconomic factors, dietary habits, and parental health literacy play crucial roles in ECC’s development and progression.
Objective
The study aims to identify and evaluate factors contributing to ECC in pediatric patients at a university-based infant oral health clinic, with a secondary objective of assessing the effectiveness of newly developed oral health promotional materials through a pilot study.
Methods
A retrospective and cross-sectional design was employed to analyze data from 514 pediatric patients. The study examined demographic information, parental and environmental factors, dietary habits, and feeding practices. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors of ECC. The pilot study involved 10 participants who provided feedback on the content and face validity of promotional materials.
Results
Key factors associated with ECC included race, socioeconomic status, parental health literacy, dietary habits, and bottle use at night. Early detection and preventive strategies, such as regular dental checkups, were found to be critical in reducing caries risk. The pilot study showed positive feedback on promotional materials, indicating relevance, clarity, and visual appeal, with ongoing feedback used to refine the materials.
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of comprehensive preventive strategies that encompass both individual and community-level interventions. It underscores the role of early detection, preventive measures, and tailored oral health education in reducing ECC risk. Limitations include the retrospective design and potential generalization issues due to the study’s focus on a single clinic. Future research should aim to address these limitations through longitudinal studies and larger, more diverse samples to validate the findings and enhance the effectiveness of oral health promotional materials.
