Prevalence and determinants of early childhood caries among preschool children in district Shimla, North India: a cross -sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) has been reported in children over the past few decades making it a major health burden. The study investigated the prevalence of ECC and associated factors among the preschool children of Shimla district.

Methods

An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in various government and private preschools of district Shimla from July 2022 to November 2022 where children in the age group of 3-5 years were screened for ECC using the dmft index and their BMI (body mass index) and salivary pH was recorded. Information regarding socio-economic status (SES), feeding, dietary and oral hygiene habits were collected through questionnaire circulated to the parents. Prevalence of ECC was calculated. Association of vari

SUBMITTER: Thakur S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11786517 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature