About this Research Topic
The prevalence of ECC and its impact on children's oral health and well-being will continue to be a major public health problem without a paradigm shift. Traditional prevention approaches emphasize on treating ECC, neglecting underlying etiological and underlying risk factors. Oral health education and early intervention, focusing on prenatal phase, can help prevent ECC. Maternal and child health (MCH) service providers can teach parents and caregivers about the significance of oral hygiene, maternal oral health and nutritional options. Shifting the paradigm in ECC prevention and management stimulates multidisciplinary collaboration between dentists, nurses, pediatricians, speech therapists, dieticians, obstetricians, and other healthcare professionals. A collaborative approach can support both oral health and general health issues that may contribute to alleviating ECC occurrence. ECC is a public health problem that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable groups, as well as low-income households and disadvantaged communities. The use of innovative preventive measures such as fluoride applications and silver diamine fluoride (SDF), reduce the risk of ECC. These preventive interventions can be more effective and economical than treating caries. This may result in more equitable, cost-effective, accessible preventative and oral health care thus reducing the financial burden related to ECC treatment.
Potential topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Epidemiology of ECC with the focus on addressing the burden of ECC
• Determinants of ECC - research exploring biological, behavioral, socio-economic, cultural, genetic and environmental factors associated with ECC
• Maternal oral health education and prenatal aspects - integration of oral health promotion of pregnant women into their general health and wellbeing
• Multidisciplinary collaboration between dental professionals, dietitians, lactation consultants, nurses, pediatricians, speech therapists and obstetricians in preventing ECC
• Policy and advocacy- modifications in current ECC policies that support a paradigm shift in prevention and management of ECC.
• The use of SDF and community-based initiatives
• Teledentistry - the role of technology in early detection of caries risk and the prevention of ECC
Original research articles, case studies, review articles including systematic reviews, scoping reviews, opinion pieces, focusing on, but not strictly limited to the aforementioned themes will be considered.
Keywords: Early Childhood Caries (ECC), Early Intervention, ECC Risk Factors, Oral Health Promotion, Maternal Oral Health, SDF, Multidisciplinary Collaboration
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