DENTAL CARIES EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG PRE-SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN IN BURETI SUB-COUNTY, KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA

Background: Globally, dental caries is one of the most prevalent dental health problem that affects children. Its prevalence in Bureti division is not known.The objectives were to determine dental caries experience, prevalence and risk factors associated with dental caries among pre-school going children of Bureti Sub-County, Kericho County. Methods: The Study population was all pre-school going children aged 3-6 years. The study utilized cross sectional descriptive design that involved quantitative techniques. The teeth of the children was examined at that point in time by a qualified dentist and also their caregivers/paretns interviewed on oral health hygiene practices. The dmft scores was recorded. A proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to sample schools. Data was analysed using Stata version 12 and data presented in tables and graphs. Chi test was used to test for associations between outcome/dependent variables and independent variables. Regression analysis was done to establish significance of associations among dependent and independent variables. Results: The mean age of children was 53.22±17.29 months, with boys being majority (51.7%). The child age of starting brushing teeth was 3.5±0.94 years. Majority (63.88%) had dental caries. The mean dmft was 3.54±1.95 with the greatest component being decayed teeth (53.1%). Majority of the children (62.26%) brush teeth with tooth paste and brush at least once weekly (61.73%). The main risk factors for dental caries were mother’s occupation (OR=3.18), Eating of sugary foods (OR=2.49), lack of brushing (OR=3.08), bottle feeding (OR=7.17), and poor social demographics. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries was high (63.88%) and severe (mean dmft=3.54±1.9) which indicate high dental care treatment need. Consumption of sugary foods rich in cariogenic particles, poor social demographics of the caregivers, poor brushing of teeth, bottle feeding (p-value≤0.05) are associated with high dental caries prevalence and dental caries experience.