Early childhood caries: a bibliometric analysis

• Main Author: Fadhlina, Anis
• Format: Proceeding Paper
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Q Science (General); RK Dentistry; RK318 Oral and Dental Medicine. Pathology. Diseases-Therapeutics-General Works
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/107569/25/107569_Early%20childhood%20caries%20A%20bibliometric%20analysis.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107569/26/107569_Early%20childhood%20caries%20A%20bibliometric%20analysis_program%20book.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107569/27/107569_Early%20childhood%20caries%20A%20bibliometric%20analysis_certificate.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107569/

Introduction: It is estimated that 48% of children globally and over 70% of those in Malaysia suffer from early childhood caries (ECC). ECC leads to losing permanent teeth at a very early age, malnutrition, and lower quality of life. Aim: This review aimed to systematically gather studies on ECC and determine key factors associated with it using bibliometric analysis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the “early childhood caries” keyword in the Scopus database. A total of 2,050 articles were selected based on the selection criteria (Type: Article, Language: English) for bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer 1.6.19. Result: The keyword analysis showed seven clusters with thematic categories such as microbes (cluster 1), oral health awareness (cluster 2), diet (cluster 3), socio-economic (cluster 4), and prevention or treatments (cluster 5, 6 & 7). Based on the keyword analysis, the main factor associated with ECC is microbiome dysbiosis, however, it is difficult to determine an ideal microbiome because it is influenced by other factors such as aging. Parent care is the second most important factor, followed by sugar intake. All the main factors are associated as increase in sugar intake affect the microbiome by favouring certain bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. Lower-income parents might not have enough resources such as money and time to look after their children and prevent the development of ECC. Conclusion: Many treatments have been proposed, but all have their own limitations. Hence, prevention might still be the best way forward. Short questionnaires and molecular analysis of saliva could be an ideal mixed method design to better understand the factors associated with ECC.