Impact of Early Childhood Caries on Oral Health-related Quality of Life Among 4–6-year-old Children Attending Delhi Schools: A Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Oral diseases like early childhood caries (ECC), trauma, teething pain, and eruption disturbances are widely prevalent among the 4–6-year subgroup of population and are considered a public health problem worldwide. AIM: To assess the impact of ECC on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 4–6-year-old children attending schools in Delhi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to assess the impact of ECC on OHRQoL among 4–6-year old children. Data were collected by a combination of the structured questionnaire of sociodemographic details and early childhood oral health impact scale (ECOHIS). The clinical examination was conducted for the assessment of dentition status and pufa index according to WHO criteria 2013. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS: The prevalence of ECC was found to be 20% among preschoolers which was lower among younger children and increased with age. The ECOHIS responses reported that items related to pain, irritation, difficulty in eating some foods, and difficulty to drink hot or cold beverages, felt guilty, feeling of frustration, and been upset were the most frequent on the child impact section (CIS). HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Jaggi A, Marya CM, et al. Impact of Early Childhood Caries on Oral Health-related Quality of Life Among 4–6-year-old Children Attending Delhi Schools: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(3):215–221.