Behavioral and Socio-economic Factors Influence Early Childhood Caries: A Targeted Literature Review (2023)
Undergraduate: Tala Jazairi
Faculty Advisor: Miguel Simancas-Pallares
Department: Division of Pediatric and Public Health, Adams School of Dentistry and Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of one decayed, missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surface in a child less than 6. ECC can have negative impacts on the daily lives of affected children and their families, including social, psychological, and economic well-being. Identifying and studying behavioral and socio-economic risk factors contributing to ECC can improve its understanding and prevention strategies. In this study, we conducted a targeted literature review of 30 studies on the topic of behavioral and socio-economic risk factors and ECC. Behavioral and socioeconomic risk factors were identified within the context of an ongoing qualitative study part of the ZOE 2.0 project. With this information, we defined keywords that were then carried forward to a literature review using PubMed. Qualitative analysis of these studies was then analyzed and presented in a diagram. The research revealed a significant overlap of topics within each risk factor category, with parental influence being the most prominent. By identifying these risk factors, public health solutions that lead to effective prevention and management strategies can reduce ECC prevalence on an individual and community level, improving the oral health and quality of life of affected children and their families.
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