Assesment of the Impact of Severe Early Childhood Caries on the Quality of Life of Preschool Children and their Parents

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of the early childhood caries (S-ECC) and its impact on preschool children’s life (aged 4-6), as well as on their parents, in one of the most popular prefectures in Casablanca, Morocco. Materials and Methods: Parents of 546 children attending 11 randomly selected preschools (7 private and 4 public institutions) were invited to complete 13 items of an oral health questionnaire and had their children undergo a dental examination. The quality of life was evaluated using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Statistical analysis: The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). To find the comparison between groups, Chi-square test was used. Results: The prevalence of the ECC and the S-ECC were 74.2% and 47.3% respectively. The negative effect of S-ECC on children’s quality of life has many aspects: 59.3% of them have experienced tooth pain, 41.5% have reported eating difficulties, and 41.3% have had drinking difficulties. Moreover, 40% of parents expressed feelings of guilt and 10.6% had to take time off work due to their children’s oral health status. On another note, the financial impact of the S-ECC was also significant. Conclusion: The S-ECC negatively impacts the life quality of children aged between 4 and 6 years old in addition to their parents’. This suggests a need for further strategic planning and preventive program adapted to such a public health problem.

Early Childhood Caries Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Monastir, Tunisia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In Casablanca, Morocco, the prevalence of ECC and severe-ECC were 74.2 and 47.3%, respectively (17). Results of this study suggests also that ECC negatively impacts the life quality of Moroccan Children in addition to their parents.…”

Retrospective analysis of dental treatment under general anesthesia among children with early childhood caries in Malaysia

“…Furthermore, some of the patients referred from nearby private clinics for GA dental management were among those who could afford such treatment. Although many studies have found a higher prevalence of ECC in socially disadvantaged children, they may have not used or had limited access to dental care including DGA [2,11,14]. Only 30.4% of the total studied population used the public funded fee DGA for management of ECC in this study.…”

“…Early childhood caries (ECC) is defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as "the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled teeth or surfaces in any primary tooth in a child under the age of 6 years [1]." Left untreated, it can lead to poor oral and general health, thus compromising the child's quality of life [2]. ECC remains a significant public health issue worldwide, with its prevalence in 3-yearold children ranging from 22% to 61% in the Middle East and 38% to 45% in Africa [3].…”

“…High ECC prevalence has severe implications for children's well-being and their families. Its wide range of negative effects include pain, infections, and abscesses causing difficulty in eating and sleeping, as well as growth and development issues [2,4].…”

Does the Severity of Untreated Dental Caries of Preschool Children Influence the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life?

“…In the current study, the family's socioeconomic status was not associated with the child's oral health or with the child's quality of life. Similarly, Li et al reported no signi cant associations between gender or SES with ECOHIS [43]. However, few other studies have reported a high prevalence of ECC and mean scores for ECOHIS for children from families with lower socioeconomic status and with lower maternal education [38].…”