Cohort study on Early Childhood Caries in Mongolian children

Objectives: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the early childhood caries (ECC) experience among Mongolian infants and toddlers living in Ulaanbaatar, (2) to determine whether sweet dietary behaviors, oral hygiene and Mutans streptococci are related with ECC increment. Methods: A total of 158 children aged 0-2 years participated in one year cohort study. The dental caries examination (cavitated "CV" and noncavitated "NC" carious lesions were included) and a questionnaire survey were conducted in May 2005 and 2006. Modified debris index (m-DI) was used for the dental plaque measurement and Mutans streptococci (MS) level in dental plaque was evaluated using Dentocult® SM. Results: ECC was found in 0% (CV) and 54.8% (NC) of 0-yr-olds at the baseline; 52.4% (CV), 35.7% (NC) at the one year follow up; 26.3% (CV), 59.2% (NC) and 80.3% (CV), 14.4% (NC) of 1-year-olds; 75.0% (CV), 12.5% (NC) and 90% (CV), 5.0% (NC) of 2-year-olds respectively. Increments of dmft were 1.95 in 0-yr-olds, 3.48 in 1-year-olds and 3.47 in 2-year-olds. Seventy eight percent of NC caries in 1-year-olds developed CV caries, while 54.5% of caries free children got cavities. Anterior caries showed rapid and high increment in younger age children, while all teeth had similar increment pattern in 2-year-olds. Significant determinants of high caries increment were male (OR=2.58), sweet snacking (OR=3.17), frequent consumption of soft drinks (OR=3.53) and high MS colonization (OR=4.67). Conclusion: This study showed early onset and high one year increment of ECC among very young Mongolian children. Strong relations of caries increment with sweet snacking habit, frequent intake of soft drinks and high MS level suggest that prompt oral health promotion and early prevention of ECC based on healthier diet and good oral hygiene of mothers and their offspring would be necessary.