CARIES PREVALENCE AND PATTERN IN PRIMARY DENTITION PERIOD

The disease of early childhood caries (ECC) is the presence of 1 or more decayed (non cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child 71 months of age or younger. A mapping review found higher ECC prevalence in 3-6 years old, no differences in prevalence associated with countries economic status or between developed and developing countries. A systematic review was conducted in 2018 to determine the prevalence of early childhood caries in India which showed that the overall prevalence of ECC in India is 49.6% which is high. Andhra Pradesh has the highest prevalence at 63%, and the lowest was reported in Sikkim (41.92%). A study in 2021 reported occlusal surface were commonly affected (46%), then proximal (37%), smooth surface (16%) whereas a study conducted in 2024 reported prevalence rate of individual teeth in the primary dentition, central incisor was 30.35%, lateral incisor (13.28%), canine (37.02%), 1st molar (15.41%) and 2nd molar (3.92%). Restorations, nutrition counselling, practicing good dental hygiene, and using preventative medications like topical fluorides can all help stop the progression of the ECC.