Prevalence of early childhood caries and enamel defects in four and five-year old Qatari preschool children

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in early childhood in most communities worldwide. Several studies conducted in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have documented a high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC). To date, no studies have been conducted in Qatar to examine the prevalence of ECC and enamel developmental defects in preschool children. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECC and enamel defects in preschool children aged four and five years attending kindergartens in Qatar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed among 250 children randomly selected from 16 public kindergartens. Caries experience was measur..