Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a particularly severe problem in low socio-economic communities which impacts the overall health and well-being of children. The extensive waiting lists for general anaesthesia and sedation services at the only tertiary dental care centre in the study area...
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doaj-066f0c44d538429c804616f1f3b91f082020-11-24T21:27:07ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362018-07-01230e1e710.4102/hsag.v23i0.1039702Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South AfricaNadia Mohamed0Jo M. Barnes1Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western CapeDivision of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of StellenboschBackground: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a particularly severe problem in low socio-economic communities which impacts the overall health and well-being of children. The extensive waiting lists for general anaesthesia and sedation services at the only tertiary dental care centre in the study area for the treatment of children with ECC were an indication of the extent of the problem. The true extent of the problem in this area was, however, not known. This information is crucial in order to plan and execute remedial measures. Aim: To assess the prevalence of oral and dental problems, especially ECC, in children under six years of age in the study population, and ascertain their need for dental treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 659 children from selected schools and clinics in the study area was carried out between 2010 and 2013. Results: A caries prevalence of 71.6% (472/659) was recorded. Of these, 67.5% (445/659) of children were in need of dental treatment. Conclusion: Over the last decade, there has been no improvement in the caries status of children in the study population, and no organised measures have been put in place to address this problem. Awareness needs to be raised so that governments, especially in developing countries, can take appropriate measures to alleviate this public health problem. Time and resources have to be invested in the education of all health professionals dealing with children, by raising their awareness of the early stages of the disease so that timeous referrals can be made.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/1039Early Childhood Cariesprevalencetreatment needprevention |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
Afrikaans |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Nadia Mohamed Jo M. Barnes |
spellingShingle |
Nadia Mohamed Jo M. Barnes Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Early Childhood Caries prevalence treatment need prevention |
author_facet |
Nadia Mohamed Jo M. Barnes |
author_sort |
Nadia Mohamed |
title |
Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa |
title_short |
Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa |
title_full |
Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa |
title_fullStr |
Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa |
title_full_unstemmed |
Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa |
title_sort |
early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in cape town, south africa |
publisher |
AOSIS |
series |
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
issn |
1025-9848 2071-9736 |
publishDate |
2018-07-01 |
description |
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a particularly severe problem in low socio-economic communities which impacts the overall health and well-being of children. The extensive waiting lists for general anaesthesia and sedation services at the only tertiary dental care centre in the study area for the treatment of children with ECC were an indication of the extent of the problem. The true extent of the problem in this area was, however, not known. This information is crucial in order to plan and execute remedial measures.
Aim: To assess the prevalence of oral and dental problems, especially ECC, in children under six years of age in the study population, and ascertain their need for dental treatment.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 659 children from selected schools and clinics in the study area was carried out between 2010 and 2013.
Results: A caries prevalence of 71.6% (472/659) was recorded. Of these, 67.5% (445/659) of children were in need of dental treatment.
Conclusion: Over the last decade, there has been no improvement in the caries status of children in the study population, and no organised measures have been put in place to address this problem. Awareness needs to be raised so that governments, especially in developing countries, can take appropriate measures to alleviate this public health problem. Time and resources have to be invested in the education of all health professionals dealing with children, by raising their awareness of the early stages of the disease so that timeous referrals can be made. |
topic |
Early Childhood Caries prevalence treatment need prevention |
url |
https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/1039 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT nadiamohamed earlychildhoodcariesanddentaltreatmentneedinlowsocioeconomiccommunitiesincapetownsouthafrica AT jombarnes earlychildhoodcariesanddentaltreatmentneedinlowsocioeconomiccommunitiesincapetownsouthafrica |
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