THỰC TRẠNG SÂU RĂNG SỚM VÀ MỘT SỐ YẾU TỐ LIÊN QUAN Ở TRẺ 3 TUỔI NGƯỜI DÂN TỘC THIỂU SỐ TẠI 3 TỈNH MIỀN NÚI PHÍA BẮC VIỆT NAM

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children under 71 months of age. Objectives: To determine the rate of early childhood caries and some related factors in 3-year-old ethnic minority children in 3 northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1540 children aged 3 years old at 30 preschools in Hoa Binh, Lang Son and Bac Kan provinces. Results: The rate of early childhood caries (ECC) was recorded as 91.3 %; the dmft and dmfs indexes were 8.89 ± 4.7 and 14.1 ± 10.3, respectively. The main risk factors for ECC are snacking habits, high-sugar diets, nighttime bottle feeding, retains food in mouth, poor oral hygiene, and enamel abnormalities. In addition, parents having caries or lack of knowledge about caries prevention have also been identified as risk factors for ECC. Conclusion: The rate of ECC in 3-year-old children of ethnic minorities is very high. Therefore, appropriate caries control measures are needed based on identified risk factors.