China, Hong Kong and Macau

Abstract

Early childhood caries is of significant importance to the growth and development of preschool children. Multiple studies have highlighted how the lesion, if left untreated, results in retarded growth of the child. There are multiple studies on caries in general and less of such publications on early childhood caries in comparison. Yet, the impact of early childhood caries on the life and course of child development is significant. This piece of work pooled together publications on early childhood caries around the world. It highlighted the profile, pattern and risk factors for early childhood caries for 40 countries and pulled together information on 85 of the 193 United Nations countries where there are publications on the lesion. The authors were able to draw a global map of the disease profile and develop recommendations on important next steps for the global management of this lesion. Though the first and last chapters in the book summarise the global profile of early childhood caries, the book highlights country-specific peculiarities in the risk factors and early childhood caries prevention programmes. The authors did assume the story of early childhood caries is the same across the globe. This book was developed with the guiding principle that each country needs to understand the pattern of their early childhood caries epidemic so that they can develop appropriate programmes to address the countrys needs.