Social and Behavioral Determinants of Early Childhood Caries in the Aseer Region of Saudi Arabia

¹Bachelor in Dental Surgery, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Corresponding Author: Abdulrahman Alshehri, Bachelor in Dental Surgery, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Tel: +966507090251; E-Mail: [email protected]

Received Date: 7 June 2016
Accepted Date: 12 July 2016 
Published Date: 21 July 2016
Copyright © 2016 Alshehri A
Citation: Alshehri A. (2016). Social and Behavioral Determinants of Early Childhood Caries in the Aseer Region of Saudi Arabia. Mathews J Dentistry. 1(2): 008.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Early childhood caries is a multi-factorial disease that involves the susceptible tooth and host, fermentable carbohydrates in the diet, cariogenic micro-organisms and time. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of socio-behavioral variables on the prevalence of dental caries among children of 4-5 years old.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was performed on a sample of 422 children presented to selected five Primary Health Care Centre Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. The investigation was made using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (World Health Organization Methodology) and detection criteria for non-cavitated lesions. A tested, self-administered questionnaire was administered to parents to obtain information about their socio-behavioral characteristics.
Results: A cross-sectional survey was performed on a sample of 422 children presented to selected five Primary Health Care Centre Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. The investigation was made using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (World Health Organization Methodology) and detection criteria for non-cavitated lesions. A tested, self-administered questionnaire was administered to parents to obtain information about their socio-behavioral characteristics.
Conclusion: A high caries prevalence (77.73%) and a lack of caries treatment are revealed among Saudi pre-school children in the Aseer region in this study. The current study has identified risk factors for presence of ECC in pre-school children within a Saudi community. ECC risk can significantly be increased by living with occupied mother (p = 0.00811), consuming more sweets and chocolates (p = 0.00001), absence of oral health educators and oral health promotion programs (p = 0.0012). These factors could be modified through public health strategies, such as effective publicity concerning general dental health, practical health advice and develop effective strategies to promote awareness amongst Saudi community.

KEYWORDS

Social; Behavioral; Oral; ECC; Caries; Saudi; Children.