Early childhood caries sequelae and relapse rates in an Australian public dental hospital.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains one of the most prevalent childhood diseases in Australia, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations.

Aim: To investigate the ECC experience including risk factors, incidence of caries, pain and infection as well as relapse rates of caries and secondary dental general anaesthesia (GA).

Design: A retrospective cohort study included dental records of children with ECC, aged <72 months at an Australian public dental hospital paediatric dentistry department from 2013 to 2015 (n = 102).