The impact of the family environment risk behavior on oral health in pre-school age, in early childhood

Abstract

Introduction. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) represents one of the important problems in children from a very early age and it is a major public health problem. The basic concept of individualized prevention is to recognize high-risk patients and individual behavioral risk factor modification by establishing an efficiently preventive program. Aim of the study. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between behavioral risk factors in the family environment and susceptibility to dental caries in young children. Materials and methods. The clinical material of this paper includes the investigation data of 126 children of 1-3 years. There were estimated the frequency and intensity indices of dental caries, behavioral risk factors in the family environment of the children who took part in the study. Acidogenic bacterial plaque has been observed, also the Streptococcus mutans concentration in the saliva and salivary pH had been determined, using the kit standards of GC. Complex evaluation of caries risk was performed with Cariogram software. The study was performed according to ethical requirements, with written consent of parents of children, or their legal representatives. Results. ECC was found in 30.16% of examined children. There were determined the cumulative influence of a complex of risk factors: high exposure to sugar- in 42.86% of cases, early exposure to common oral mouth germs due to poor oral health which accidentally spreads germs in children - 49.21%, poor oral health habits (such as lack of regular tooth brushing - in 51.59%, night time bottles with milk - in 53.97% of cases). The direct relationship between increased susceptibility in dental caries in pre-school age and unhealthy family habits environment there was established. Conclusions. Complex evaluation of behavioral factors of risk caries from family environment represents an important measure contributing to the better understanding of the caries profile in patients and a first step in developing of the individualized prevention program of dental caries in young children dental caries.