A Cross-sectional Study of Dental Caries and Quality of Life among 36–71 Months Preschool Children: Vientiane, Lao PDR

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a major problem in young children worldwide but particularly in developing countries such as Lao PDR Aim: The Study describe early childhood caries occurrence and assessed their impact on the quality of life (QoL) in preschool children aged 36–71 months and their families in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 400 children aged 36–71 months from 18 randomly selected preschools in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR. Dental caries was assessed using the dmft and PUFA (pulp, ulcer, fistula, and abscess) indices using their standard criteria and protocols. The parent-reported Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) to assess the impact of dental caries on quality of life. Data were collected by one dentist trained during a Master in Dental Public Health program. Results: Ninety-four percent of children had experienced dental caries (dmft>0), and 92% had untreated caries lesions (dt>0). The overall mean dmft was 8.7 teeth and increased from 7.1 at 36–47 months to 9.8 at 60–71 months. The mean decayed teeth and mean number of teeth with fistula increased with age (all p<0.05). The prevalence of dental infection (pufa>0) was 35%. Impacts on eating (69%), pain (58%), and parents’ work (57%) were the most frequent. Caries experience and dental infection were directly correlated with impacts on QoL (p<0.001). Conclusion: Preschool children in Vientiane have a very high occurrence of dental caries and infections and do not receive dental treatment, impacting the quality of their lives and their families.