Systematic ReviewPage 55
ABSTRACTEarly Childhood Caries (ECC) is a preventable chronic disease which affects infants and children worldwide. The early detection of ECC can reduce pain, life threatening conditions and helps in the growth and the overall development of the child. The risk factors of ECC include: Mutant Streptococci (MS), dietary and feeding habits, socioeconomic and environmental factors, systemic diseases and certain medications.The aim of this paper is to systematically review the global burden of ECC, contributing risk factors, preventive and treatment strategies. The literature search was based on published systematic reviews which were focused on diseases burden; heterogeneity of research studies on this subject did not allow a meta-analysis.