The Patterns of Dental Caries among Preschool Children in a Mixed Urban/ Suburban Population in Sri Lanka and Maternal Knowledge about Importance of Primary Dentition
Priyantha Perera*, Meranthi Fernando, Nayomi Ranathunga
Background: Dental carries are a common problem among Sri Lankan preschool children. Primary dentition has many important functions. However the attention paid towards protecting them seem to be inadequate. This may be due to lack of maternal knowledge of their importance. This study was conducted to assess mothers’ attitudes and knowledge about primary dentition and to describe the pattern of dental caries in primary dentition.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Ragama Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. Consecutive children between 2 – 5 years, attending child welfare clinics were recruited for the study. Maternal knowledge about primary dentition and socio-economic characteristics were obtained using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The mouth was examined for evidence of caries.
Results: Four hundred and ten children were recruited for the study. Maternal knowledge about dental hygienic practices was satisfactory, but knowledge about importance of routine visit to a dentist and importance of protecting primary teeth was poor. None of the children had a routine visit to a dentist. Maxillary incisors made the main contribution towards caries, followed by first molars.
Conclusions: There is a need to improve the maternal knowledge about importance of protecting primary teeth, and to promote routine visits to a dentist in order to reduce the present high prevalence of caries among preschool children. Pattern of caries in this population was similar to previous studies.
