Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of Early Childhood Caries among the 3-5 years old children and to evaluate its association with socio- economic status.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2015 in Tirana city. Caries severity of ECC was assessed using dmft, according to classification of American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry ( 2008). Permission for the study was given by the Tirana Directorate of Education and a parental consent form. A cluster sampling technique was used for sample selection. Six out of 42 public kindergartens were randomly selected . Kindergartens were grouped as clusters. Sample size calculation was determined at 734 participants. A higher number of children was included and 904 children 3-5 years old participated. Information was obtained through a structured questionnaire that was completed by parents. It covered social economic status indicators, brushing habits and frequencies. The WHO (1997) criteria for dmft were followed. Clinical examination was performed with single use instruments. Training and calibration was performed by two examiners, who achieved an inter-examiner Kappa score of 0.802. The data were analysed by SPSS.18 software. Descriptive statistics and the Chi square test were used and the level of significance was set as p<0.05.
Results: 1223 questionnaires were distributed and the response rate for dental examination and questionnaire was 904 (50.2% boys and 49.8% girls). Prevalence of ECC was 91% (823/904). 561 (62.1%) of the children suffered severe ECC with a mean dmft = 6.45 (SD±4.25). The severity of ECC was lower in children whose mothers had higher levels of education (p <0.001). The lower and medium income level of SES was associated with higher ECC (p<0.001).
Conclusions: The prevalence of ECC and the mean dmft was high in preschool children of Tirana. A strong correlation was found between socio-economic status and ECC.
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