Dental caries in primary teeth during early childhood in the Warsaw agglomeration

Abstract

Introduction. The high incidence and level of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in children aged 3 in Poland indicate a high risk of developing this disease in younger children. There are no data describing the scale of the problem in Poland. Aim. Determining the prevalence and level of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC), the needs of conservative treatment in children in the second and third year of life from the Warsaw agglomeration. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study of children aged 12-36 months was carried out after obtaining the consent of the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw. The presence of non-cavitated (d1) and cavitated caries (d2), fillings (f), and missing teeth (t) and surfaces (s) caused by caries (m), periodontal abscesses and fistulas was assessed. The frequency of ECC and its intensity (d1d2mft and d1d2mfs), conservative treatment index (f/f + d) were determined. In the statistical analysis, the chi-square test was used to compare the fractions. Results. 496 children were examined, including 262 (52.8%) boys. S-ECC was recorded in 44.8% of the respondents, d1d2mft and d1d2mfs reached the values of 2.62 ± 3.88 and 4.46 ± 8.42. The incidence and level of S-ECC increased with age. The greatest increase was seen in the subgroup > 18 to 24 months. The main components of d1d2mft were the teeth with caries (d). Abscesses and fistulas were diagnosed in 15 (3%) patients. The treatment indexes increased from 0 in the youngest to 0.08 in the oldest age group. Conclusions. Caries of primary teeth in the early childhood period is characterized by a rapid transformation of non-cavitated lesions into cavitated ones and subsequent eruption of teeth. With medical negligence, complications result in tooth loss. The greatest increase in the frequency and level of caries is observed in the second half of the second year of life, therefore, early home and professional prevention is essential.