Evidence mapPaperPMID 41266951Full record

ReviewOral diseases2026

Early Childhood Caries in Preschool Children: A Multidimensional Analysis From Biological Mechanisms to Socioecological Interventions.

Wenxuan Zhao, Jiaxin Shi, Xin Li

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Oral diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Wenxuan ZhaoSchool of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1652-5364
Jiaxin ShiShenyang Medical College, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
Xin LiShenyang Medical College, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.

Funding

International Industrial Technology Research and Development Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Science and Technology 2025JH2/101900023Liaoning Provincial Department of Education LJ222410164024Liaoning Provincial Department of Education LJ222410164030Shenyang Medical College Horizontal Research Project SYKT2025002Shenyang Medical College Horizontal Research Project SYKT2025005Shenyang Medical College Horizontal Research Project SYKT2025007
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo analyze the "technology-disease burden paradox" of early childhood caries (ECC)-its rising global prevalence despite preventive advances-by examining multidimensional factors from biological mechanisms to socioecological interventions.

methodsThis narrative review synthesized evidence from epidemiological, biological, behavioral, and policy studies (2010-2024) identified through systematic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria focused on children under 6 years of age and English-language studies reporting etiology, risk factors, or interventions.

resultsECC prevalence exceeds 60% in many low- and middle-income countries, versus < 40% in high-income settings. Key findings include: synergistic enamel demineralization by S. mutans and Candida (OR = 1.67); behavioral risks such as nocturnal feeding (OR = 3.54) and screen time > 2 h/day (↑60% caries); and effective policy interventions like fluoride varnish (42% reduction in caries) and sugar taxes.

conclusionsControlling ECC requires integrating the Socioecological Model with Sustainable Development Goals, prioritizing equity-focused upstream policies and interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., dentistry and data science). The "Zero-Caries Childhood" vision must shift from disease management to health promotion, incorporating emerging environmental considerations.

Indexed as

Dental CariesChild, PreschoolFluoride TreatmentHumansPrevalenceRisk Factorsearly childhood cariesECCpreschool children cariesprevention of dental cariespublic health

Identifiers

PMID41266951
PMCPMC13365003

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.