Early Childhood Caries and the Role of Pediatricians in its Prevention

Abstract

The aim of this study is to review the existing literature about early childhood caries and the role of pediatricians in regards to prevention of this condition. Early childhood caries is a multi-factorial disease and several factors are implicated in its establishment. Control of this disease is very difficult and affected children have diminished oral health-related quality of life. Taking all evidence together, we propose that physicians and specially pediatricians have an important task to help parents in preventing early childhood caries by delivering suitable and organized information.