Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in a pediatric sample randomly chosen in public kindergartens or the 19th district in Rome, according to the WHO guidelines and to access the dental and orthodontic status of the affected children.
Methods: A total of 546 children aged 3-to 5-years were examined. Clinical examination had been executed from January 1999 to June 2000 by 4 calibrated operators; WHO clinical assessment form and anamnestic questionnaires for parents were performed.
Results: Children affected by ECC with a dmft score of 6.3 were 8.2% and 93% were ''treatment need'' (TN); low levels of oral health was significantly related with father's low socioeconomical status, both occupational and educational: most of these families were from less industrialized countries; 40% of these kids used to suck sucking-bottles with honey: many others used to drink too much sweet things (milk and sugar, fruit juice etc.); the most frequent orthodontic features in the ECC group were: brachifacial (26.7%), convex profile (70%), 3rd class terminal plane (30%).
Conclusions: The results obtained point out that information, health education and health promotion are lacking throughout this part of roman population. Primary preventive dentistry programs should be therefore organized targeting parents, nursery schools and kindergartens' operators and pediatricians.