Dental Caries and Associated Factors in Children Aged 2-4 Years Old in Mbeya City, Tanzania.
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Dental caries in infants and young children is prevalent worldwide; its magnitude and associated factors vary between communities because of cultural and social economic differences. No such information was available for pre-school children in Mbeya city. PURPOSE: To determine dental caries status and associated factors in 2 to 4-year-old children in Mbeya city. MATERIALS AND METHOD: -test and logistic regression was employed for studying associations. RESULTS: =0.021] were associated with caries. Prolonged breastfeeding for more than 1 year and breastfeeding at night had no association with dental caries. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental caries was very low. Older age and frequent consumption of factory made sugary foods at age 1-2 years were associated with higher odds of developing dental caries. Prolonged breasfeeding and breastfeeding at night had no association with dental caries. Prevention of dental caries should be instituted as soon as primary teeth start erupting, especially through discouraging consumption of factory made sugary foods/snacks.
Source: PubMed Central
Institution: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2619671401