The prevalence of severe early childhood caries and associated oral health knowledge and behaviors of caregivers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Abstract

-Abstract- The prevalence of severe early childhood caries and associated oral health knowledge and behaviors of caregivers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Khaliunaa Enkhbold, Department of Pediatric dentistry, Graduate school, Seoul National University (Directed by Young Jae Kim, DDS, PhD)

Introduction: The greatest proportion of children with dental problems in Mongolia is affected by severe early childhood caries(S-ECC). Since caregivers play main roles in encouraging oral hygiene for their children, it is important to evaluate level of caregivers knowledge of and behavior toward childrens oral health. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of S-ECC and to evaluate caregivers knowledge of and behavior toward childrens oral health in Ulaanbaatar. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used in this research. A dental examination performed on 400 children aged 2-5 years from two areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Self-reported questionnaire survey was collected from their caregivers. The chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearsons correlation test and Multiple regression analysis were performed using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: From all caregivers of 400 children, 363 completed the questionnaire survey. The prevalence of S-ECC was 66.4% with mean deft is 5.88 (±4.255) and defs index is 8.96 (±7.901). Majority of the caregivers answered true or strongly agreed on most of the questions with high percentage (50% or more) response. The defs index has positive relationship with age of children (r=0.219, p=0.00), while negative relationship with caregivers behavior toward childrens oral health (r=-0.137, p=0.009). Multiple regression analysis indicated that defs index is negatively correlated with behavior (p=0.016). Conclusion: This result indicates that very high caries prevalence and severity among 2-5 year olds children in two areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Most caregivers had relatively good knowledge of childrens oral health, even though their children were affected by dental caries. The parents practice of checking their childrens mouth is the associated with the defs index. Additionally, even tough caregivers have an abundant knowledge of childrens oral health, change of caregivers behavior for a effective practices is necessary.

Keywords : early childhood caries(ECC), severe early childhood caries(S-ECC), caregiver, oral health knowledge, behavior. Student No: 2014-25270