Determinants of Caregiver-reported Dental Caries among Preschool Children in Selected Communities in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria
Olungwe Esther Dagogo
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Ogbonda Priscilia Nyekpunwo *
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Ogba Amaka *
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Caregiver reports are often used to identify possible oral health problems in young children, but their correspondence with clinically assessed dental caries may vary across settings.
Aims: This study examined the prevalence and determinants of caregiver-reported caries indicators and clinically assessed caries among preschool children in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Study Design: Community-based analytical cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Five communities (Ibaka, Ogbogbo, Ogoloma, Kalio and Okochiri) in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria, [2nd May 2026 to 28th June 2026].
Methodology: The study included 389 caregiver–child pairs selected by multistage sampling. Caregivers completed a structured questionnaire, and children aged 3–5 years had a clinical oral examination using the decayed, missing and filled primary teeth (dmft) index. Caregiver-reported caries was defined as an affirmative response to at least half of ten caries-related items. Data were analysed using chi-square tests, Cohen’s kappa and binary logistic regression.
Results: By the composite measure, 269 children (69.2%) were classified as caregiver-reported caries positive, whereas clinical examination identified caries in 20 children (5.1%; mean dmft = 0.06). Agreement between the two measures was no better than chance (κ = −0.006; χ² = 0.17, P = .68). Against clinical status, caregiver report had a sensitivity of 65.0% and a specificity of 30.6%. An unfavourable environment was associated with caregiver-reported caries (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.64–4.81; P < .001), whereas poor caregiver knowledge did not reach statistical significance (AOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 0.997–3.44; P = .051). No factor was associated with clinical caries, but only 20 children were affected, so these estimates are imprecise.
Conclusion: Caregiver-reported indicators reflect perceived dental problems rather than clinical caries and should complement, not replace, clinical examination. Routine preschool dental screening and caregiver education are recommended.
Keywords: Early childhood caries, preschool children, caregiver-reported dental caries, dental screening, dmft index, oral health knowledge, environmental determinants, health-service access