Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Pooled ECC prevalence in Tunisia was 38% (95% CI 24-51), significantly lower than Egypt and Sudan.
10 findings from 1 review
Prevalence 38 [24, 51]
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 48 [39, 58]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 63 [52, 74]
3 studies
GRADE not reported
Show 7 more findings
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children younger than 71 months (under 6 years)
Pooled ECC prevalence in Europe was 36% (95% CI 25-47).
16 findings from 1 review
Show 13 more findings
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomesCountries with no income inequality (Gini) · Gini index: no inequality
Prevalence 62
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 42 [32, 53]
3 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 52 [45, 60]
33 studies
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomes49 countries worldwide; urban and rural communities · Overall (all regions)
Prevalence 49 [44, 55]
67 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 55 [42, 68]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomesCountries with low income inequality (Gini) · Gini index: low inequality
Prevalence 39
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomesCountries with highest life expectancy · Life expectancy: highest (>80 years)
Prevalence 28
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 53 [41, 65]
14 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 72 [58, 85]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 57 [36, 77]
5 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 34 [20, 48]
6 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 30 [22, 38]
11 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence 57 [47, 67]
19 studies
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of CDH17 (chr8q22.1) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted expression of CDH17 was significantly associated with ECC in the TWAS (p = 3.32e-8); genetic association, ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of IGSF5 (chr21q22.2) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted IGSF5 expression reached the TWAS threshold for ECC (p = 7.22e-5) but was flagged as a possible false positive (LD misspecification) and not further considered; ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of LACC1 (chr13q14.11) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted LACC1 expression reached the TWAS threshold for ECC (p = 3.98e-5) but was flagged as a possible false positive (LD misspecification) and not further considered; ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of TAS2R43 (chr12p13.2) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted expression of TAS2R43 was significantly associated with ECC in the TWAS (p = 8.78e-8); genetic association, ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of TAS2R31 (chr12p13.2) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted expression of TAS2R31 was suggestively associated with ECC in the TWAS (p = 1.04e-5); genetic association, ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of TAS2R14 (chr12p13.2) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted expression of TAS2R14 was significantly associated with ECC in the TWAS (p = 1.06e-6); genetic association, ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of SMIM10L1 (chr12p13.2) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted expression of SMIM10L1 was significantly associated with ECC in the TWAS (p = 1.70e-7); genetic association, ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of NRAD1 (LINC00284) (chr13q14.11) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted NRAD1 (LINC00284) expression reached the TWAS threshold for ECC (p = 1.69e-6) but was flagged as a possible false positive (LD misspecification) and not further considered; ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) - association with genetically predicted expression of LINC02905 (C8orf49) (chr8p23.1) · Children up to age 5-6 years (European / European non-Hispanic ancestry); 843 ECC-affected vs 2124 unaffected across 5 cohorts (N=2974)
Genetically predicted LINC02905 (C8orf49) expression reached the TWAS threshold for ECC (p = 1.82e-8) but was flagged as a possible false positive (LD misspecification) and not further considered; ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 6 years or younger (preschool children)
In children aged 3 years or younger, preterm birth was not associated with early childhood caries (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.37); certainty not graded.
2 findings from 1 review
Caries prevalence (early childhood caries) · Toddlers and preschool children, 2 to 6 years of age (primary dentition)
Caesarean section delivery may be associated with a modestly higher prevalence of early childhood caries than vaginal delivery (pooled OR 1.48), but the evidence is inconsistent and of very low certainty.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged ≤6 years (early childhood)
RETRACTED. Among studies before 2017, oral C. albicans presence was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 4.89, 95% CI 2.79-8.58); ungraded subgroup from a retracted review.
16 findings from 1 review
Show 13 more findings
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Study quality (NOS): good
OR 5.32 [2.89, 9.80]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Sample collection: saliva
OR 4.70 [2.44, 9.09]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Overall (all 22 studies, random-effects)
OR 4.42 [3.14, 6.24]
22 studies · 3301 participants
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Sample size: >=100 (Table 6; abstract text erroneously states '>=1000')
OR 4.65 [2.57, 8.42]
6 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Sample collection: oral swab
OR 9.55 [2.17, 42.01]
2 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Study design: case-control
OR 5.30 [1.72, 16.31]
2 studies · 708 participants
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Region: Asia
OR 3.62 [2.53, 5.20]
12 studies · 2347 participants
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Sample size: <100 (Table 6; abstract text erroneously states '<1000')
OR 4.35 [2.75, 6.89]
16 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Time period: 2018 and later
OR 4.17 [2.62, 6.64]
12 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Study design: cross-sectional
OR 4.30 [2.92, 6.33]
20 studies · 2593 participants
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Study quality (NOS): moderate
OR 3.84 [2.24, 6.57]
11 studies
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Region: America/Canada/Brazil/Chile
OR 3.98 [1.14, 13.87]
5 studies · 319 participants
GRADE not reported
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A comprehensive… 2024 All outcomesExposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years · Children aged ≤6 years; multiple countries (Asia, Europe, Americas); dental/clinical and community settings · Study quality (NOS): low
OR 5.14 [2.12, 12.48]
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Healthy children under 6 years of age (6 months to 6 years); preschool children
After excluding an extreme outlier (Alhabdan 2018), the association between low brushing frequency and ECC remained statistically significant (pooled OR approximately 2.0, p=0.003; I2=87.5%); the exact estimate and its CI were not reported; ungraded.
2 findings from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Healthy children under 6 years of age (6 months to 6 years); preschool children
In the primary pooled analysis, late tooth brushing initiation was associated with a non-significant 40% higher odds of early childhood caries (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.16), with very high heterogeneity (I2=90.5%); ungraded.
2 findings from 1 review
Early childhood caries experience (mean dmft) · Children younger than 71 months (under 6 years)
Mean dmft was lowest (1.62 teeth) in low-inequality countries by Gini index.
16 findings from 1 review
Show 13 more findings
MEAN 3.34 [1.79, 4.88]
13 studies
GRADE not reported
MEAN 4.64 [3.38, 5.91]
19 studies
GRADE not reported
MEAN 3.87 [2.84, 4.91]
30 studies
GRADE not reported
MEAN 3.89 [1.62, 6.16]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
MEAN 4.04 [2.39, 5.68]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomesCountries with 71-75 years life expectancy · Life expectancy: 71-75 years
MEAN 5.18
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
MEAN 4.28 [2.58, 5.97]
10 studies
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomesCountries with no income inequality (Gini) · Gini index: no inequalities
MEAN 3.95
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
MEAN 3.08 [2.42, 3.74]
3 studies
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomes49 countries worldwide; urban and rural communities · Overall (all regions)
MEAN 3.68 [2.99, 4.37]
60 studies
GRADE not reported
MEAN 1.13 [0.72, 1.55]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
MEAN 2.26 [0.69, 3.82]
11 studies
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. 2024 All outcomesCountries with highest life expectancy (>80 years) · Life expectancy: >80 years
MEAN 1.34
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Caries prevalence (early childhood caries) · Preschool children aged <=71 months (caries outcome assessed at 3-6 years)
Preschool children exposed to secondary smoking have higher odds of caries prevalence (OR 1.77), but the cross-sectional evidence is very uncertain (very low certainty).
2 findings from 1 review
Intervention not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC), prevalence
1 finding from 1 review
Prevalence 64 [40, 89]
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Intervention not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC), prevalence
1 finding from 1 review
Prevalence 55 [44, 67]
9 studies
GRADE not reported