Prevalence of early childhood caries among preschool children of low socioeconomic status in district Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Introduction: Dental caries is also one of the major issues which interfere with the healthy life of an individual, especially in children. Due to its high prevalence worldwide, caries in children has often been described as a ‘pandemic’ disease. In preschool age children, this disease is called Early Childhood Caries (ECC), but is commonly known as “baby bottle tooth decay” or maxillary anterior caries. About 90% of school children worldwide experience dental caries with the disease being most prevalent in Asia and Latin American countries and least prevalent in African countries. This study was undertaken with the aim of assessing prevalence of ECC among preschool children of low socioeconomic status in Srinagar city. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study, approved by the institutional Ethical Committee was designed. Children were selected from various Anganwadi centres in Srinagar city, Jammu and Kashmir, India. All children 24?59 months old, attending the selected Anganwadi centres, forming a total of 466 were selected. Clinical examination was carried out at Anganwadi centres or concerned schools by a single calibrated examiner. Data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0 software. Results: Out of the 466 children examined, 229 (49.1%) were boys and 237 (50.9%) were girls. The prevalence of ECC was 39.9% (186 out of 466) out of which 102 (54.8%) were boys and 84 (45.2%) were girls. Whereas prevalence of ECC was significantly higher among 36?47 months old children as compared with other groups (χ2 = 14.03, P = 0.001). The overall mean deft for ECC was 1.80 ± 3.18 ranging from 0 to 17 teeth. Mean deft was significantly higher in 36?47 months age group as compared with others (F = 10.89, P = 0.000). Conclusion: There is an urgent need to implement Preventive and Curative Oral Health Programs for children. As Anganwadis are run by State Government, a public?private partnership between the government, Private Dental Colleges, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) would prove useful toward providing oral health care to these children.