Understanding Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in Durg, Chhattisgarh: A Survey

Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) among children aged 3-6 years in Durg, Chhattisgarh. Materials and methods:A study was conducted involving 380 children who were randomly selected for oral examinations.The study focused on evaluating the presence of ECC and identifying factors associated with higher prevalence rates among the participants.Results: The findings revealed a significant prevalence of ECC at 51.57% among the examined children.Notably, higher rates were observed among specific age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.Discussion: The high prevalence of ECC may be linked to poor oral hygiene, frequent sugar intake, low parental awareness, and limited access to dental care.Variations across age and socioeconomic groups indicate the influence of behavioral and environmental factors, highlighting ECC as a significant public health concern. Conclusion:The results highlight the pressing need for community-centered preventive initiatives, targeted community health education for parents, and the integration of oral health promotion into primary healthcare systems to effectively combat ECC in Durg, Chhattisgarh.