Surface-specific Correlation Between Extrinsic Stains and Early Childhood Caries.
PURPOSE
This study was designed to assess (i) the prevalence of extrinsic stains in preschool children (ii) the correlation between extrinsic stains and the occurrence of early childhood caries (ECC) (iii) to compare the distribution of caries in pits and fissures, smooth surfaces or both among children with and without extrinsic stains.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,486 children aged 0-3 years. Extrinsic stain and ECC were scored by two calibrated examiners. Correlation between ECC pattern and extrinsic stains was analysed by logistic regression. Caries distribution in fissures, smooth surfaces or both were analysed using Mann Whitney test and Pearson chi-squared test.


RESULTS
The prevalence of extrinsic stains among 0-3 years children was 6.2%. Children with extrinsic stain had a 1.13-fold greater chance of exhibiting ECC (OR = 1.132, 95% CI: 0.739-1.733). Statistically significant differences were found for fissure caries (p < 0.0002) and both smooth surface and fissure caries (p < 0.0328) among children in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Occurrence of ECC appears to have surface-specific variations in children with and without extrinsic stains. However, the interaction of these individual factors and their impact on oral health outcomes needs to be identified through further research.
['Muthu|Murugan S|MS|', 'Saikia|Ankita|A|', 'Henry|Jean Aishwarya|JA|', 'Balamurugan|Asaithambi|A|']
D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D004396:Coloring Agents D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003731:Dental Caries D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D015995:Prevalence
extrinsic stain early childhood caries cross-sectional study epidemiology public dental health