Development and content validation of the Childhood Early Oral Aging Syndrome (CEOAS) index for the deciduous dentition: Research protocol.

Abstract

Premature, non-physiological tooth wear in childhood has numerous repercussions for oral health. This is a growing problem with multifactorial causes and associated with the current lifestyle. The introduction of new concepts and indices is crucial for enhancing the understanding and management of dental conditions. In this context, we present the Childhood Early Oral Aging Syndrome (CEOAS) and the associated index, which aim to assess early enamel wear in the primary dentition. Rather than focusing solely on isolated etiologies, the index proposes a comprehensive evaluation of signs and symptoms, considering various factors that contribute to the premature and non-physiological loss of dental structure, including wear of both intact and hypomineralized enamel. Indices that evaluate the main factors of early oral aging in childhood and their interactions are fundamental for understanding the condition and developing effective control and treatment strategies, particularly given that there is currently no global index encompassing this information. The aim of the present study was the development and determination of content validity of the Childhood Early Oral Aging Syndrome (CEOAS) index for the primary dentition as a diagnostic and epidemiological survey tool. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06378385.