Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries Among Preschool Children in Johannesburg, South Africa
Purposes: (1) To determine the prevalence of dental caries among preschool children in the metropolitan area of Johannesburg; (2) to determine the dental caries status and unmet treatment needs of four- to six-year-old children; (3) to compare their dmft/DMFT scores with the
significant caries index (SiC) for similar age cohorts; and (4) to compare their dental caries prevalence with those of similar age cohorts, as reported in the National Children's Oral Health Survey (NCOHS).
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 10 preschools. Stratified randomized sampling of the participating children was done and schools were stratified by regions.
Results: A total of 459 children, with a mean age of 4.8 years, were examined. The overall caries prevalence (CP) was 44 percent, with a mean dmft score of 2.3±3.4 (standard deviation [SD]). Among four- to five-year-old children, the CP was 49 percent (dmft 2.4 ±3.4 SD versus 2.38 NCOHS, SiC=6.41; P<0.00001). The CP for six-year-old children was 51 percent (dmft 2.38, ±3.4 SD versus 2.9 NCOHS, SiC = 5.35; P<0.00001). Ninety-seven percent of the children did not have their dental needs met.
Conclusion: There is high caries prevalence among preschool children in Johannesburg.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 10 preschools. Stratified randomized sampling of the participating children was done and schools were stratified by regions.
Results: A total of 459 children, with a mean age of 4.8 years, were examined. The overall caries prevalence (CP) was 44 percent, with a mean dmft score of 2.3±3.4 (standard deviation [SD]). Among four- to five-year-old children, the CP was 49 percent (dmft 2.4 ±3.4 SD versus 2.38 NCOHS, SiC=6.41; P<0.00001). The CP for six-year-old children was 51 percent (dmft 2.38, ±3.4 SD versus 2.9 NCOHS, SiC = 5.35; P<0.00001). Ninety-seven percent of the children did not have their dental needs met.
Conclusion: There is high caries prevalence among preschool children in Johannesburg.
Keywords: EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES; ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION; PRE-SCHOOL CHILDEN
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. [email protected] 2: Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Publication date: 01 May 2016
- Acquired after the merger between the American Society of Dentistry for Children and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 2002, the Journal of Dentistry for Children (JDC) is an internationally renowned journal whose publishing dates back to 1934. Published three times a year, JDC promotes the practice, education and research specifically related to the specialty of pediatric dentistry. It covers a wide range of topics related to the clinical care of children, from clinical techniques of daily importance to the practitioner, to studies on child behavior and growth and development. JDC also provides information on the physical, psychological and emotional conditions of children as they relate to and affect their dental health.
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