Behavioural Etiological Factors that Contribute to the Occurrence of Severe Early Childhood Caries

Abstract Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is one of the most common pathologies affecting primary dentition. The complex etiology is the result of the interaction of microbial factors and also of dietary factors. For this study a group of 40 children diagnosed with S-ECC was compared with a control group of 35 children without caries. The study data was obtained through clinical examination of both children and mothers, and on the basis of a questionnaire completed by the mothers of the subjects. The odontal status of the mothers was evaluated by determining the DMFT index. The results of the study showed that the mothers of the subjects with S-ECC had a significantly higher DMF-T caries index than the ones in the control group and that there is a close link between the birth of the child, newborn feeding method, mother’s habits, cariogenic diet and the occurrence of severe early childhood caries.