Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a significant global public health concern affecting infants and young children. ECC can lead to pain, infection, impaired nutrition, difficulties with speech development, and reduced quality of life.
Effective management of ECC requires a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, early diagnosis, disease control, and restorative treatment when necessary.
Core principles include:
Early intervention and caregiver education are essential components in preventing and managing ECC and improving long-term oral health outcomes.
Early identification of children at risk for ECC should be part of routine oral health assessment in infancy and early childhood.
Preventive strategies should include the regular use of fluoride toothpaste and professional fluoride applications when indicated.
Caregivers should receive guidance on appropriate feeding practices and reduction of frequent sugar exposure.
(Evidence-based recommendations are not subject to global agreement scoring.)
(Evaluated for Global Agreement in 2022)
Management of ECC should involve a comprehensive approach combining preventive care, behaviour modification, and restorative treatment where necessary.
Caregiver education is essential to support effective prevention and long-term control of the disease.
Minimally invasive treatment approaches should be considered whenever possible to preserve tooth structure and reduce treatment burden for young children.
Collaboration between dental professionals, healthcare providers, and caregivers may be necessary to support early diagnosis and management of ECC.
To support clinical implementation and knowledge translation, IAPD has developed complementary educational materials.
Selected episodes of the IAPD Podcast Series explore the global burden of early childhood caries and evidence-based strategies for prevention and management.
IAPD’s Consensus-Driven Approach to Caries Risk Assessment and Tailored Care Pathways
Dr Vineet Dhar
Dr Norman Tinanoff
Relevant webinars address prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies for early childhood caries in clinical practice.
International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD).
IAPD Foundational Articles and Recommendations on Behaviour Guidance in Paediatric Dental Patients.
Originally published 2019. Global Agreement Validation 2022.
