INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD-LEVEL DYNAMICS AND CARIES EXPERIENCE AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN IN PERU. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to assess the association between household dynamic factors and early childhood caries (ECC) experience, and whether these associations differ based on the extent of dental tissue damage. Materials and methods: We analyzed data from 210 children aged 3-5 years in Callao, Peru, using questionnaires and dental examinations. Household dynamics included house ownership, parental living arrangements, family structure, and family size. ECC experience was assessed by clinically examining decayed, filled, or missing primary teeth, including cavitated and non-cavitated lesions. Covariates included demographic, socio-economic, health behaviours, and access to dental care. Block-wise multivariable regression models with prevalence ratios and 95% CI were used, following STROBE guidelines. Results: Fully adjusted estimates showed that the prevalence of ECC experience was higher among children living in rented accommodations (PR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17, 1.41), in single-parent households (PR 1.75, 95% CI 1.61, 1.91), with extended family beside their nuclear family (PR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08, 1.29), and sharing the household with at least 4 other members (PR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94, 1.14). Sub-group analysis suggested that family structure and family size were significantly associated with non-cavitated dental lesions, while the association with cavitated dental lesions was stronger when associated with parental living arrangements, after controlling for all covariates. Conclusions: Individual household-level dynamics indicators are associated with the early onset of dental caries among young children in Peru. However, further analysis is required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and other contributing factors of ECC in this study population.