Early childhood caries in preschool children of Kosovo - a serious public health problem

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Even though it has been widely studied, early childhood caries (ECC) remains a serious public health problem, especially in countries where there is no national program of oral health assessment and no genuine primary oral health care, such as in Kosovo. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ECC and analyze caries risk factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The subjects were 1,008 preschool children, selected by stratified random cluster sampling, in the municipality of Prishtina, capital of Kosovo. Data were collected through clinical examination and interviews. Dmft data were recorded according to WHO criteria. Bacterial examination (CRT bacteria test) and plaque test of Greene-Vermillion were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean dmft of preschool children was found to be 5.8. The prevalence of ECC was 17.36%, with a mean dmft of 11 ± 3.6. Streptococcus mutans prevalence in ECC children was 98%. A significant correlation between dmft and S mutans counts (≥10⁵CFU/mL saliva) was demonstrated. A correlation was also found between daily sweets consumption and dmft in children with ECC (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Comparing the dmft of ECC children and duration of bottle feeding showed a statistical correlation (<it>P </it>< 0.001). The mean plaque test was 1.52. None of the examined children had ever used fluoride.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of ECC was high among preschool children in the municipality of Kosovo. We recommend increasing parents' knowledge of proper feeding habits and oral health practices, and increasing preschool children's accessibility to dental services.</p

Infant feeding practices: a study of mothers attending a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with infants\' feeding practices among mothers attending a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out in the College of Dentistry at King Saud University (CDKSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Five hundred mothers who visited the dental clinic in CDKSU during a two-month period took part in the study. Data were collected via a questionnaire which contained socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers and the feeding practices of their infants. Result: The participants were aged 25-45 years. Mothers aged 25-35 years and 36-45 years significantly practiced breast feeding more than the mothers below age 25 years and above 45 years (ANOVA p < 0.05). Mothers with more than four children practiced breast feeding more than others while those with one or two children used synthetic milk more often. No significant difference was found between type of feeding and educational level (p=0.1). However, there was a significant difference in feeding type by number of children (p=0.003). Mothers\' age, level of education and the number of children all related to the age of the child when breast feeding was stopped. The habit of leaving the bottle or breast in child\'s mouth while the child fell asleep was only significantly related to the mothers\' age but not to the level of education or number of children. Conclusion: Mothers with more than four children practiced breast feeding more frequently while those with one or two children tend to feed their children with synthetic milk. The mothers\' level of education did not influence the type of feeding. Keywords: Infant Feeding Practice, Mothers\' knowledge, Saudi ArabiaNigerian Dental Journal Vol. 16 (1) 2008: pp. 5-