DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2023.v10i04.002

Pages: 60-68

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of selected social determinants on the prevalence and severity of Early Childhood caries (ECC), among a group of Lebanese preschool children. A total of 500 preschool children, age 3 to 5 years were chosen with stratified random sample technique with proportional allocation of the subjects, into different strata. Out of the 500 students chosen, 409 complied and returned the questioner and hence were included in the study. The study was performed in six schools distributed in different areas of Beirut, 3 private and 3 public schools. Every child was examined using a disposable plastic dental mirror under an adequate source of light. Early childhood caries was diagnosed as present when one or more decayed (non cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surface on any primary tooth in children up to 71 months of age [1] was detected. The severity of ECC was classified according to Whyne AH (1999) [2] Type 1 ECC (mild to moderate); Type 2 ECC (moderate to sever); Type 3 ECC (sever). All eligible children were given a questionnaire to be filled at home by parents, and were returned by a specific date. Socio-demographic factors included in the questionnaire were as follows: Age, Gender , Maternal age at birth, Number of children in family, Child order in family, Do brothers or sisters have caries, Mother’s education level, Child’s father job. The data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed, using package for social science "SPSS" version 13. The age of the study sample ranged from 3- 5 years with a mean 4.0 ± 0.9. About half of the sample was males (49.1%). The majority of children were in public schools (60.9%). In the majority of cases (52.6%), the number of children in the family was three or more, while only 5.4% of the examined children were single without siblings. About three fourths of the children (71.4%) were the second or third or more among their siblings. ..........