Prevalence and Pattern of Dental Caries and Their Asssociation with Age and Gender in Preschool Children: An Observational Study

CONTEXT: Dental caries is the most common oral disease in preschool children. It is considered to be due to multifactorial etiology, affecting primary molars with various caries patterns. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine prevalence and patterns of dental caries in primary molars of preschool children. Prevalence and patterns of dental caries were correlated with age and gender. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study design adopted was analytical observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caries examination was done using plain mouth mirror, probe, and tweezers with cotton pellets under standardized environment. Children's age was measured in years, and the age in years and months were merged with nearest round off number. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software. Test for significance was done with the help of Chi-square test. RESULTS: In Maxilla, max. rt 2nd molars (p value = 0.036), max rt 1st molars (p value = 0.035), max lt 1st primary molars (0.095), and max lt 2nd primary molars (p value = 0.005) showed significantly different caries patterns at different ages of preschool children, while no significant differences were observed in caries patterns in male and female gender. In mandible, man. lt 2nd primary molars (p value = 0.005), and man. rt 2nd primary molars (p value = 0.004) showed significantly different caries patterns in different ages of preschool children, while Mand. Lt 1st primary molars (p value = 0.389) and Mand. Rt 1st primary molars (p value = 0.272) showed nonsignificant differences in caries patterns with different ages of preschool children. A nonsignificant difference in caries patterns was noted in male and female gender. CONCLUSION: Mandibular primary molars were more vulnerable for caries development when compared to maxillary primary molars in preschool children. The number of caries patterns present in mandibular and maxillary primary molars, were as follows: Mn. Rt 1st PM > Mn. 1st Lt PM & max lt 1st PM > max lt 2nd PM and max rt 1st PM > Mn. Rt 2nd PM > Mn. Lt 2nd PM > max rt 2nd PM. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Srivastava VK. Prevalence and Pattern of Dental Caries and Their Asssociation with Age and Gender in Preschool Children: An Observational Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(5):442–450.