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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 May 18;22(1):183.
doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02218-x.

Maternal and infant risk factors and risk indicators associated with early childhood caries in South Africa: a systematic review

Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay  1 , Robert Barrie  2 , Tina Roberts  3 , Sudeshni Naidoo  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Maternal and infant risk factors and risk indicators associated with early childhood caries in South Africa: a systematic review

Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay et al. BMC Oral Health. .

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the risk factors and risk indicators associated with early childhood caries in South Africa.

Design: A systematic review of aetiology was performed. From 1366 papers found, 23 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. All study designs were included. Healthy children under six who live in South Africa were eligible for the study. The study was registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD42020216455.

Data extraction: Eligible studies were selected, and data extracted independently by two reviewers. Published data on socio-economic status, dietary factors, oral hygiene knowledge and practices, breastfeeding and bottle-feeding practices, oral bacterial flora and other risk indicators were collected. Two authors appraised the studies independently using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal tools.

Data analysis: Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics, and due to heterogeneity, extracted data were mostly presented narratively.

Results: Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models and concluded that parents of children who had a tertiary education had a 1.77 [1.22-2.57] odds of experiencing dental caries compared to the children of parents with a secondary education. However, the unclear risk of bias of most included cross-sectional studies precluded definitive conclusions.

Conclusions: More high-quality cohort studies need to be performed to evaluate actual risk factors for ECC in a South African setting. Parental/caregiver oral educational knowledge needs promoting before the emergence of their children's teeth. The social determinants of health need to be incorporated in future studies, and suitable targeted interventions need to be developed and implemented to mitigate early childhood caries in South Africa.

Keywords: Early childhood caries; Educational level; Family situation; Maternal characteristics; Risk; Socio-economic status; South Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

Not applicable.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prisma flow chart of included studies
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of tertiary education versus secondary education and dental caries prevalence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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