Observational studyBMC oral health2025
Exploring the link between screen time and severity of early childhood caries in primary molars: a cross-sectional study.
Observational study in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- A narrative review of screen time as a behavioural determinant of paediatric oral health.European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry · 2026Review
- Screen time, sleep disturbances, and dental caries in adolescents and young children: an emerging public health concern.Frontiers in oral health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEarly Childhood Caries (ECC) is a significant yet often overlooked paediatric health concern, particularly in India. Previous studies have linked excessive screen exposure, known as Problematic Screen Exposure (PSE), with caries in children. However, the association between PSE and the severity of ECC in terms of cavitated and non-cavitated lesions remains unexplored. This study investigates the prevalence of PSE among ECC-affected preschool children and examines its correlation with ECC severity.
methodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 100 children aged 36-71 months diagnosed with ECC. Data on screen exposure were collected using the "Seven-in-Seven Screen Exposure Questionnaire," validated per American Academy of Paediatrics guidelines. Clinical examinations classified caries severity using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II). Statistical analyses, including the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation, assessed relationships between PSE, sociodemographic factors, and ECC severity.
results57% of participants exhibited high PSE scores. A majority of children (75%) had cavitated lesions. High PSE was associated with higher mean ICDAS scores for molars (p = 0.025), although the correlation between PSE and ECC severity was very weak and not statistically significant (r = 0.042, p = 0.680). Sociodemographic factors, including family size and parental education, were also analysed, with families having three or more children showing elevated ICDAS scores. Oral hygiene practices and dietary habits partially influenced caries severity, with children using non-fluoridated toothpaste exhibiting higher ICDAS scores.
conclusionsHigh PSE may contribute to the progression of ECC, as evidenced by a higher prevalence of cavitated lesions among children with elevated PSE scores. Preventive strategies focusing on reducing PSE and promoting healthy oral hygiene practices may mitigate ECC severity. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to establish causality and inform targeted prevention strategies.
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