Association of clinical, social and environmental variables with dental caries prevalence in adolescents from a Brazilian municipality supplied with fluoridated water

Abstract

Background Although a trend towards dental caries reduction has been observed, further investigations on its pattern and development are still needed. Objective To investigate the influence of clinical, social and environmental variables on dental caries prevalence in adolescents from a Brazilian municipality supplied with fluoridated water in 2018. Method This study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 277 adolescents aged 12 years of public schools in Nova Friburgo, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Clinical examinations were carried out by calibrated examiners to assess caries, periodontal disease, and fluorosis according to criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to record socio-environmental information. Results Individuals living in regions supplied with fluoridated water below the minimum required levels (OR=3.60, p=0.0006), with low income (OR=1.90, p=0.0444), presence of gingivitis (OR=3.36; p=0.0016), and whose reason for visiting the dentist was dental treatment (OR=2.41; p=0.0203) were more likely to have dental caries. A significant reduction (p<0.0001) in dental caries indexes was observed between 2012 and 2018. Conclusion Fluoridation of public water supply at unsuitable levels, as well as other social and clinical variables can influence the caries pattern in adolescents.