Prevalence of early childhood caries, risk factors and nutritional status among 3-5-year-old preschool children in Kisarawe, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood dental caries (ECC), a serious public health problem lacks information on the association between ECC, risk factors and nutritional status among children in Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECC, risk factors and nutritional status among 3-5-year-old preschool children and to assess its correlation with the form, visible plaque scores in upper anterior teeth, total sugar exposure, anthropometric measures, and socio demographic attributes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 831 children registered in public preschools in Kisarawe District. Assessment of ECC used the WHO (2013) criteria and anthropometric measures used the WHO Child Growth Standards (2006). Structured questionnaires were completed by children's parents through an interview. Collected information on socio-demographic attributes including oral hygiene and sugar exposure to their children was analyzed. RESULTS: Only 459 children (55.2%) were recognized as caries-free. Dental caries experience in terms of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) index was 2.51. Children with visible plaque were the majority (56.1%). The dmft score index was negatively and significantly associated with weight-for-age z-score [Coefficient: -0.11 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.11)] and positively significantly associated with visible plaque score index [Coefficient: 0.16 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.52)] and total sugar exposure [Coefficient: 0.19 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.38)] in the adjusted model. The prevalence of underweight was 4.2% [95% CI: (3.0-5.8)] and severe underweight was 0.2% [95% CI: (0.1-0.9)] while prevalence of stunting was 1.6% [95% CI: (0.9-2.7)] and severe stunting was 0.4% [95% CI: (0.1-1.1)]. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant negative relationship between ECC and children's anthropometric measures indicated by weight-for-age, and positive relationship with sugar exposure and poor oral hygiene indicated by visible plaque on upper anterior teeth. Controlling risk factors will reduce the occurrence of ECC thereby catering for a healthy population of well-nourished children.

Prevalence of dental caries in deciduous teeth and oral health related quality of life among preschool children aged 4-6 years in Kisarawe, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Preschool years are a critical period in the development of a healthy child. The consequences of poor oral health in preschool children reach beyond dental problems, with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) being associated with overall systematic health as well as one's quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its impacts on the OHRQoL in a sample of preschool children in Kisarawe. METHODS: A cross-sectional based study was conducted in 2017. A total of 1106 preschool children completed a face-to-face interview, using a translated Kiswahili version of the Michigan Oral Health-related Quality of Life Scale (MOHRQoL) -Child Version (2003), and underwent clinical oral examination using WHO (1997) criteria. RESULTS: The decayed component was the most prevalent (dft = 2.08) and the Significant Caries Index (SiC) was 5.54 double of the (dft), showing polarization of dental caries in the studied population. After adjusting for appropriate covariates, preschool children of age 5 and 6 years old were more likely to have decayed tooth [Adjusted OR = 3.02, (95% CI =2.01-4.54)] and [Adjusted OR = 2.23, (95% CI = 1.55-3.20)] respectively. Preschool children without visible plaque on the buccal surface of upper anterior teeth were less likely to have decayed teeth [Adjusted OR = 0.21, (95% CI = 0.09-0.45)]. Regarding measurements of oral health-related quality of life using the MOHRQoL, only preschool children who reported on 'do your teeth hurt you now?' and 'do kids make fun of your teeth?' were more likely to have a decayed tooth [Adjusted OR = 1.74, (95% CI = 1.12-2.71)] and [Adjusted OR = 1.87, (95% CI = 1.11-3.15)], respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that dental caries affects a significant portion of preschool children and, was associated with poor oral hygiene. The overall impacts of dental caries prevalence to OHRQoL were low in this sample of preschool children. Children having caries (independent variable) were shown to report more frequently that 'do your teeth hurt you now?' and 'do kids make fun of your teeth?' were more likely to have a decayed tooth among preschool children in Kisarawe, Tanzania.