EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES

Course overview

THE PRESENCE OF DENTAL CARIES IN THE PRIMARY DENTITION OF YOUNG CHILDREN IS KNOWN AS EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES (ECC), WHICH IS DEFINED AS ONE OR MORE DECAYED, MISSING (RESULTING FROM CARIES) OR FILLED TEETH IN PRIMARY DENTITION IN CHILDREN OF UP TO 71 MONTHS OF AGE. THE TERM EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES INCLUDE THE SOMETIMES CALLED NURSING CARIES AND RAMPANT CARIES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSE, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND PRESENTATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.