Investigation of Dental Caries in Preschool Children and Parental Oral Health Behaviour in Bauchi State

Early childhood caries is a preventable yet highly prevalent disease among Nigerian preschoolers, and investigating its relationship with parental oral health behaviours provides a basis for family-centred prevention in North East Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of early childhood caries and its association with parental oral health behaviours among children aged 3 to 5 years attending government nursery schools in Bauchi and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas, Bauchi State. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 child-parent pairs. Children underwent clinical examination for dmft (decayed, missing, filled deciduous teeth). Parents completed questionnaires on feeding practices, toothbrushing supervision, sugar consumption frequency, dental visit behaviour, and knowledge of infant oral health. Results showed an early childhood caries prevalence of 61.4 percent with a mean dmft of 3.41. Nocturnal breastfeeding beyond 12 months was significantly associated with anterior caries (p < 0.001). Only 38.2 percent of parents supervised daily toothbrushing. Sugary snacks twice or more daily were given by 64.3 percent of parents. Only 5.4 percent had sought dental care for their child. Parental dental visit frequency was significantly correlated with child caries status. Recommendations include parental oral health counselling at child welfare clinics, training of community health workers in ECC prevention messaging, and fluoride varnish application programmes at nursery schools across Bauchi State. Keywords: early childhood caries, preschool children, parental behaviour, Bauchi State, dmft