The relationship of 18-36 month - old children's temperament with sever early childhood caries in kindergartens of Tabriz

Abstract

Recently researchers look beyond biological factors and explore behavioural risk factors in an effort to better understand Early Childhood Caries (ECC) development and prevention. Among these behavioural risk factors is a childs temperament. This study aims to investigate the relationship of differentiated traits of child temperament with ECC. Materials and Methods: a total of 373 children aged 18 to 36 months were orally examined in kindergartens of Tabriz, Iran. Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire (ECBQ) and a second questionnaire containing demographic data, dietary and oral hygiene habits of the children were delivered to families. Results: the prevalence of ECC was 41.01%. Considering 18 aspects of childs temperament, attentional shifting, fear, frustration, low intensity pleasure, sadness and shyness were significantly higher in the ECC group and cuddliness, perceptual sensitivity, positive anticipation and soothability were significantly higher in caries free children. Considering dietary habits in the regression model, Fear was a predicting factor for breast-fed to bed and the duration of breast-feeding, whereas Frustration was a predicting factor for breast-feeding throughout the night. Furthermore, Sadness and shyness were predicting factors for breast-feeding throughout the night and the duration of breast-feeding respectively. Considering bottle-feeding, attentional focusing was the only predicting factor for the duration of bottle-feeding. Conclusion: Specific traits of temperament are related to ECC and some nutritional habits of the child.