ECC Status, CRAFT Categorization and OHRQoL Assessment in 3–6-year-old Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) can affect the health and quality of life of the children. Assessing a patient’s risk of developing caries is an important aspect of caries management; however, can assessing the caries risk predict the impact of ECC on the OHRQoL? Few Indian studies have reported association between caries status, risk, and the impact on OHRQoL. Aim: To assess the association between dental caries status, risk assessment, and OHRQoL in 3–6-year-old children. Methodology: A total of 50 healthy children were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Parents filled the ECOHIS questionnaire. Caries status, risk, and OHRQoL were measured as dmft-pufa, CRAFT (Caries Risk Assessment for Treatment-an indigenous tool) and ECOHIS scores, respectively. Results: Moderate correlation was seen between dmft and ECOHIS scores (r = 0.496, p < 0.01), and pufa and ECOHIS scores (r = 0.408, p < 0.05). More number of subjects with higher scores of ECOHIS were in the high-risk category of CRAFT (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Caries status, risk and OHRQoL were associated in 3–6-year-old children. Thus, caries risk assessment may predict poor OHRQoL.