Early occurrence of childhood dental caries among low literate families.

Out of 756 preschool children, 51.5% boys with mean age of years 5.76 (SD = 0.78) were enrolled. The median (25th-75th Pertcentile) of dmft index in boys and girls was 4 (2-9) and 5 (2-8), respectively. Only 15.1% children had decay-free teeth. The results of univariate analysis showed a significant relationship between dmft index and child age (P < 0.001), mother's years of education (P = 0.001), mother's employment status (P < 0.001), and family socio-economic status (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, statistical significance was found in sex (P = 0.007), age groups except for 5 years (P = 0.210), mother's education status (P < 0.001) as well as in families with intermediate (P = 0.024), and high (P = 0.072) socio-economic status.