Reason for choice of topic
The subject of childhood caries has raised a lot of concerns over the past years. Early childhood caries refer to a situation whereby children have missing, decayed or even filed tooth surfaces between the early months of birth up to 72 months (Javed, Feng, & Kopycka-Kedzierawski, 2016; Ezer, Swoboda, & Farkouh, 2010). The choice of this topic was informed by the fact that early childhood caries cases have increased over the recent years. Childhood caries is a serious health problem. Nevertheless, there is still lack of awareness among many people on the problem of early childhood caries. As such, a research on this topic will provide more insights for better understanding of the problem of early childhood caries.
Related studies
Several studies have been carried out on the subject of early childhood caries. For example, Ezer, Swoboda, and Farkouh (2010) in their study on early childhood caries revealed that ECC has become a serious issue as far as the health of children and infants is concerned. ECC is common in children at the age of five (Ezer, Swoboda, & Farkouh, 2010). Even though cares of caries prevalence have decreased in the recent years, there is an increase in the prevalence of decay among young children between two and five years of age.
Javed, Feng, and Kopycka-Kedzierawshi (2016) conducted a similar study on childhood caries. However, the focus of this study was on measuring the effects as well as costs associated with the prevention of dental caries among young children. This study found out that the development of caries was followed by pain.
A study by Dülgergil et al. (2013) focused on the causes of early childhood caries, diagnosis as well as treatment. This study found out childhood caries has become a global concern considering that the effects of dental caries can be immediate as well as long-term. Such consequences can be felt in both the economic and social aspects on the affected individuals.
Hypothesis and Research Question
Research questions and hypotheses are common aspects of research project, which play a significant role in ensuring that research aims and objectives are achieved. A research question refers to a question that guides a research project. Any research project is developed based on formulated research questions that the researcher seeks to answer. As such, research questions determined the methodology to be adopted in any study. For example, in the case of the proposed study on childhood caries, the following research questions might be used:
- What is the reported incidence of early childhood caries?
- Are there any consequences of untreated dental caries in children?
- Is there are a probability that infants suffering from dental caries will experience primary and permanent dentitions?
- Is there a significant relationship between early childhood caries and breastfeeding?
On the other hand, a research hypothesis can be defined as a statement that is used to relate various variables in a study. Often, research hypotheses are derived from formulated research questions. For example, with respect to the research questions highlighted above regarding childhood caries, the following research hypotheses might be used:
- There are significant consequences associated with untreated dental caries in children.
- The probability that infants suffering from dental caries will experience primary and permanent dentitions is high.
- There is a significant relationship between early childhood caries and breastfeeding.
References
Dülgergil, Ç., Dalli, M., Hamidi, M., & Çolak, H. (2013). Early childhood caries update: A review of causes, diagnoses, and treatments. Journal Of Natural Science, Biology And Medicine, 4(1), 29.
Ezer, M. S., Swoboda, N. A., & Farkouh, D. R. (2010). Early childhood caries: the dental disease of infants. Oral Health Journal, 1-7.
Javed, F., Feng, C., & Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D. (2016). Incidence of early childhood caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Of Investigative And Clinical Dentistry, 2(3), 19.