ECC can be identified by the presence of decayed, missing due to caries, or filled tooth surfaces in which dentition?

• A. Primary teeth
• B. Permanent teeth
• C. Both primary and permanent
• D. Only deciduous molars

Answer: (A)

Early Childhood Caries is defined by caries experience in the primary dentition of young children. The presence of decayed, missing due to caries, or filled surfaces on primary teeth is the classic criterion, because ECC specifically targets the developing dentition that is present in early childhood. Permanent teeth aren’t the focus here since they haven’t fully erupted or are just beginning to erupt in this age group, and caries in permanent teeth would not define ECC. Also, ECC isn’t limited to a single type of primary tooth like deciduous molars; it can involve surfaces across the primary dentition. Therefore, primary teeth are the dentition used to identify ECC.