Dental caries experience and associated risk factors among pre-school going children in Bureti sub county Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, dental caries is one of the most prevalent dental health problem that affects children. It is number four main cause of morbidity among under five year old children in Bureti Sub County and accounts for up to 20% of morbidity cases. Its prevalence and associated risks factors in Bureti Sub county is not known hence the purpose of this study. The main purpose of the study was to determine dental caries prevalence, caries experience, and their associated risk factors among pre-school going children of Bureti Sub County, Kericho County. The Study population was all pre-school going children aged 3-6 years. The specific objectives were to determine the prevalence of dental caries among pre-school going children in Bureti Sub County ; to determine dental caries experience among pre-school going children in Bureti Sub County and to describe the risk factors associated with prevalence of dental caries and caries experience among pre-school going children of Bureti Sub County . The study utilized cross sectional descriptive design that involved quantitative techniques. The teeth of the children was examined at that point in time by a qualified dentist and their caregivers/parents were interviewed on oral health hygiene practices. The dmft scores was recorded. A sample of 371 pre-school children was examined and the dental caries experience determined. The independent variables included Socio demographic variables such as age, gender, economic status of the family, parents education level and tooth hygiene practices such as source of drinking water and dental care visits. The dependent variable was dental caries experience (dmft) and presence or absence of dental caries (cases). A proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to sample schools. Data was analyzed using Stata version 12 and data presented in tables and graphs. Chi test and regression analysis were used to test for associations between outcome/dependent variables and independent variables. The mean age of children was 53.22±17.29 months, with boys being majority (51.7%). The child age of starting brushing teeth was 3.5±0.94 years. Majority (63.88%) had dental caries. The mean dmft was 3.54±1.95 with the greatest component being decayed teeth (53.1%). Majority of the children (62.26%) brush teeth with tooth paste and brush at least once weekly (61.73%). The main risk factors for dental caries were mother’s occupation (OR=3.18), eating of sugary foods (OR=2.49), lack of brushing (OR=3.08), bottle feeding at night (OR=7.17), and poor social demographics. The study concluded that the prevalence of dental caries was high (63.88%) and severe (mean dmft=3.54±1.9) which indicate high dental care treatment need. Consumption of sugary foods rich in cariogenic particles, poor social demographics of the caregivers, poor brushing of teeth, bottle feeding (p-value≤0.05) are associated with high dental caries prevalence and dental caries experience. The study recommends that there is need for initiation of oral health education program and mobilization of oral health workers to perform regular dental checkups in schools. More research needed on factors influencing dental health seeking behavior.