Early childhood caries as a social issue: Findings of a local epidemiological study

Early childhood caries is one of the most prevalent dental conditions affecting young children; however, the lack of up-to-date epidemiological data for Kyrgyzstan hampers the planning of effective preventive measures and the development of targeted preventive programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of early childhood caries among children aged 1-3 years in the city of Bishkek and to identify the key socio-behavioural risk factors. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted involving 250 preschool children, of whom 104 met the inclusion criteria and comprised the target subgroup. Dental examinations were performed according to the World Health Organisation diagnostic criteria. Caries status was assessed using the decayed primary teeth index, the number of affected primary tooth surfaces, and the Fedorov-Volodkina oral hygiene index. In addition, parents completed a questionnaire covering oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and dental attendance. The prevalence of early childhood caries was extremely high, reaching 76.2% among children aged 12-24 months and 91.1% among those aged 25-36 months. Both caries severity and poor oral hygiene increased with age. The principal risk factors identified were delayed initiation of regular toothbrushing, frequent consumption of sugary foods before bedtime, the absence of preventive dental visits, and limited parental awareness of the role of fluoride and the harmful effects of nocturnal feeding. Early childhood caries represents not only a clinical but also a social problem. Reducing its prevalence requires comprehensive family-centred preventive programmes, including early parental education on oral hygiene practices, the promotion of good oral health habits, and improved access to paediatric dental care. The findings of this study may be used to inform the development of preventive strategies and educational programmes for parents aimed at reducing the prevalence of early childhood caries in young children