Objectives: This study estimated the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and related risk factors in a population of immigrant Tibetan preschool children in Bylakuppe of Mysore District; India. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in 500 preschool children between 10 to 72 months of age in and around Bylakuppe of Mysore district; India; using II stage stratified random sampling. The caries experience was recorded using defs and the deft index. Information regarding risk factors for caries was obtained through a structured questionnaire given to mothers/caretakers. Statistical data analysis: The data was statistically analyzed by using "chi-square" test and "ANOVA" test. Results: The prevalence of ECC in the study sample was significantly high. It was 92.2% with the mean defs score of 10.27 and the mean deft score of 6.15 (p<0.001vhs).Higher prevalence of ECC was found, in children with bottle feeding, addition of sugar to bottle content and to regular food, in-between meal snacking habits and increase intake of sweets like chocolate, candies and toffees, lesser frequency of brushing and child brushing unassisted/unsupervised. Reports of regular visits to the dentist were almost absent in the study population. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the high prevalence of ECC in the study population. Development of strategies and protocols; to prevent and manage ECC, based on the risk factors identified for these population, is essential to curb this oral health problem.
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