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Iranian early childhood dental caries: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and associated risk factors

Evidence-Based Dentistry volume 26, page 66 (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives

Early childhood dental caries (ECC) is a prevalent dental condition affecting infants and young children, characterized by one or more carious lesions in primary teeth. ECC risk factors include malnutrition, genetic predisposition, specific dietary habits, lack of fluoride, and prolonged bottle feeding. A comprehensive prevalence estimate is crucial for understanding the extent of dental caries in the population. So, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECC and its associated risk factors in Iranian children.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, ACECR Scientific Information Database (www.ACECRScientific Information Database.ir), and Magiran research databases. Eligible English and Persian studies published between 2006 and 2024 were reviewed and analyzed. The studies on ECC prevalence were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Random effect models were utilized to calculate the pooled prevalence, and meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess sources of heterogeneity in the systematic review of risk factors.

Results

The meta-analysis encompassed thirty eligible studies, providing the prevalence of ECC in Iran, with an estimated prevalence of 61.7%. Meta-regression analysis indicated a non-statistically significant increase in ECC prevalence with age and a substantial slight decrease over time. Additionally, 68 Studies evaluated categories such as age, gender, sociodemographic factors, microbial flora, oral hygiene, breast/bottle feeding, and dietary. Significant ECC-related factors identified included parents’ education and occupation, breastfeeding, and oral hygiene.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of ECC in Iran was estimated at 61.7%, with notable heterogeneity. Most of the studies extensively evaluated sociodemographic factors as risk factors.

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Data availability

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their gratitude to Qazvin University of Medical Science, Iran, for their generous support.

Funding

The authors declare that no known funding was used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Dental caries Prevention Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

    Razieh Jabbarian

  2. Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

    Mehdi Ranjbaran

  3. Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

    Aida Mokhlesi

  4. Clinical research development unit of advanced medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

    Aida Mokhlesi

  5. Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

    Aida Mokhlesi & Samin Hosseini

  6. Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), USERN, Tehran, Iran

    Aida Mokhlesi

Authors
  1. Razieh Jabbarian
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  2. Mehdi Ranjbaran
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  3. Aida Mokhlesi
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  4. Samin Hosseini
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Contributions

Conceptualization: AM, RJ, SH, and MR; Methodology: AM; Software: MR; Validation: AM and MR; Formal analysis: MR; Investigation: AM and SH; Resources: AM and SH; Data Curation: AM and SH; Writing - Original Draft: AM, RJ, SH, and MR; Writing - Review & Editing: AM, RJ, SH, and MR; Visualization: RJ; Supervision: RJ; Project administration: RJ. The published version of the manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Aida Mokhlesi or Samin Hosseini.

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Jabbarian, R., Ranjbaran, M., Mokhlesi, A. et al. Iranian early childhood dental caries: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and associated risk factors. Evid Based Dent 26, 66 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-024-01078-4

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