Early Childhood Caries: An Overview and a Combative Effort in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract

Early childhood caries have become an endemic problem in recent years within many varying populations and regions across the globe. Both developed and underdeveloped nations have seen the impacts of dental caries on widespread populations. Very few demographics or geographic areas seem immune from dental caries, especially young children. For the past decade, the effects of early childhood caries on young children in the US has been a condition of widespread concern. With such virulence from a chronic, preventable condition the etiology and circumstances surrounding the condition deserve to be analyzed along with present treatment methods, as well as possible improvements that can be made on existing practices. In this review, these main topics will be explored along with a current effort that is attempting to combat early childhood caries in eastern North Carolina.