ArticleBMC pediatrics2022
Inequalities in caries among pre-school Italian children with different background.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
20 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 28 citations in OpenAlex.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data.BMC oral health · 2024Pooled it
- Hydroxyapatite-Fluoride Toothpastes on Caries Activity: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.International dental journal · 2025Trial
- An Alternative Technique for Topical Application of Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride (APF) Gel: A Two-Years Double-Blind Randomization Clinical Trial (RCT).Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2023Trial
- An Integrated Care Pathway for Pediatric Oral Health: Baseline Multicenter Analysis of Dental Caries, Malocclusions, and Oral Hygiene in Three Italian Regions.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Spatial population study on the association among socio-economic indicators and oral health in preschool children in Buenos Aires.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Dietary and Oral Hygiene Behaviors Associated with Prevalent Caries Status in School-Aged Children of Northern Italy.Nutrients · 2026Article
- The prevalence and associated factors of early childhood caries in 3- to 5-year-old children in Shaanxi Province, China: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in oral health · 2026Article
- Assessing preventive dental care in Italy: insights from a KAP survey.BMC oral health · 2025Article
- Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Oral health-related quality of life in children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorders and neurotypical peers: a nested case-control questionnaire survey.European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry · 2025Article
- Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey.BMC oral health · 2025Article
- Decomposing Socioeconomic Inequality in Early Childhood Caries Among 3 to 5-Year-Old Children in China.International dental journal · 2024Article
- Awareness of Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) and Hypomineralised Second Primary Molars (HSPMs) among Northern Italian Dentists: A Questionnaire Survey.Dentistry journal · 2024Article
- Oral health inequalities in immigrant populations worldwide: a scoping review of dental caries and periodontal disease prevalence.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Knowledge and attitudes on oral health of women during pregnancy and their children: an online survey.BMC oral health · 2024Article
- Impact of Socioeconomic Inequalities on Dental Caries Status in Sardinian Children.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare: The Past, Present and Future.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Caries Severity, Decayed First Permanent Molars and Associated Factors in 6-7 Years Old Schoolchildren Living in Palermo (Southern Italy).Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Article
- The Future of Pediatric Dentistry Is Now.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors towards Proper Nutrition and Lifestyles in Italian Diabetic Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe study was aimed to describe caries prevalence and severity and health inequalities among Italian preschool children with European and non-European background and to explore the potential presence of a social gradient.
methodsThe ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) was recorded at school on 6,825 children (52.8% females). Caries frequency and severity was expressed as a proportion, recording the most severe ICDAS score observed. Socioeconomic status (SES) was estimated by mean a standardized self-submitted questionnaire filled-in by parents. The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) based on regression of the mid-point value of caries experiences score for each SES group was calculated and a social gradient was generated, children were stratified into four social gradient levels based on the number of worst options. Multivariate regression models (Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial logistic and logistic regression) were used to elucidate the associations between all explanatory variables and caries prevalence.
resultsOverall, 54.4% (95%CI 46.7-58.3%) of the children were caries-free; caries prevalence was statistically significant higher in children with non-European background compared to European children (72.6% vs 41.6% p < 0.01) and to the area of living (p = 0.03). A statistically significant trend was observed for ICDAS 5/6 score and the worst social/behavioral level (Z = 5.24, p < 0.01). Children in the highest household income group had lower levels of caries. In multivariate analysis, Immigrant status, the highest parents' occupational and educational level, only one kid in the family, living in the North-Western Italian area and a high household income, were statistically significant associated (p = 0.01) to caries prevalence. The social gradient was statistically significant associated (p < 0.01) to the different caries levels and experience in children with European background.
conclusionsData show how caries in preschool children is an unsolved public health problem especially in those with a non-European background.
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