Cárie de estabelecimento precoce: uma abordagem preventiva

Abstract

The Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of one or more teeth with caries (cavitated or not), missing due to caries or restored, in children under six years. Any sign of smooth surface caries in children under three years is considered a severe form of the disease because it affects very young children may cause pain, decreased qualityof life, low weight, speech difficulties, low self-esteem and difficulties in school. It is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world and presents local risk factors, socio-economic and cultural. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the published literature on the subject in order to obtain theoretical support for the development of an intervention plan tobe applied to improve the oral health of children under three years. Methodology: This study was a search for scientific articles in the databases SciELO, Medline and Pubmed, technical books, web pages and publications relevant international consensus, published between1993 and 2009,directed for the age group from zero to three years. Conclusions: Despite their etiological factors known the treatment is difficult and may require costly interventions. Requires an early preventive approach should be seen as a challenge to public health services and coping should be done in an integrated manner with the team and participation in society seeking to not only control the disease, but the return to a state of oral health.