Journal of Dental Science and Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Background: The disease of ECC is defined as “the presence of 1 or more decayed (noncavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces” in any primary tooth in a child 71 months of age or younger. In children younger than 3 years of age, any sign of smooth-surface caries is indicative of severe early childhood caries . Consequences of S-ECC include a higher risk of new carious lesions, hospitalizations and emergency room visits, increased treatment cost and time, risk for delayed physical growth and physical development, loss of school days and increased days with restricted activity and a diminished ability to learn. In Saudi Arabia, S-ECC presents a unique challenge as more and more patients are reporting dental clinics with signs of early or severe form of the disease. In the community served by the Northwest Armed Forces Hospitals (NWAFH), Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Stewart reported that more than 92% of 6-year-old children had caries in primary teeth. In the city of Jeddah dmft values have ranged from 2.9 to 6-3 per child, and caries prevalence has ranged from 70% to 76% in 6 year old children. High prevalence of S-ECC in Saudi Arabia is mainly due to changing dietary habits, lack of awareness among parents and negligence of oral hygiene. Since infants and toddlers are not in control of their oral health, the parental role is of utmost importance. Although most children with S-ECC can be successfully treated in the dental office, some require complete sedation provided by general anesthesia (GA), which is administered in a hospital setting. This case report documents full mouth rehabilitation of an uncooperative 5 year-old child with severe early childhood caries treated under general anesthesia

Biography

MOHAMMED I. AL-ZAHRANI is a dentists and Consultant Pediatric Dentist, Dental Department, Prince Mansour Military Hospital.