ICDAS Adaptation for Early Childhood Caries: An Epidemiological Study in 11 Latin American Countries

Abstract

There was a considerable variation in the prevalence of dental caries in the 11 countries. The wide variation with age indicates the need to report ECC estimates by detection threshold and individual age groups. The ICDAS-adapted protocol is suitable for ECC epidemiological studies.Knowledge Transfer Statement:The results of this study show the high occurrence and variation of early childhood caries (ECC) in Latin American children, which shows the need for more detailed and comprehensive surveillance efforts in this age group. The ICDAS-adapted protocol facilitates data entry and the recording of clinical observations for epidemiological studies in young children by reducing examination time. We have contributed to the standardization of ECC data collection in Latin America by using common ICDAS-adapted criteria.