The impact of social determinants on schoolchildren’s oral health in Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status, home environment, and self-perception of health conditions on schoolchildren's dental caries experience. A total of 515 twelve-year-old schoolchildren from Juiz de Fora, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were selected into a random multistage sample. The schoolchildren were examined for the presence of caries lesions using the decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index and categorized as caries-free (DMFT = 0) or with caries experience (DMFT > 0). The participants and their parents were asked to answer a questionnaire about socioeconomic status, home environment, and self-perception of their health conditions. The hierarchical multiple regression model was used to assess the associations, since a binary response variable was assumed. The bivariate analysis revealed that variables at four levels, such as type of school, monthly family income, parents' education, home ownership, number of people living in the household, household overcrowding, parents' perception of their children's oral health, and schoolchildren's self-perception of their oral health (p < 0.05), were significantly associated with children's worse dental caries conditions. The regression model results showed that type of school and monthly family income had a strong negative effect on schoolchildren's dental caries experience (p < 0.05) in the final statistical model, where all levels were included. It was observed that socioeconomic factors were considered a strong risk indicator of schoolchildren's caries experience among the investigated social determinants of oral health.

Determination of Oral Health Status in Patients Admitted to a University Hospital: A Pilot Study

“…The caries prevalence varies around the world. Hence, other than the similar results 25 , there are lower 26 or higher 27 caries incidences than this study. Our results were lower than the previous Turkish studies.…”

Association between socioeconomic status and oral health behaviors: The 2008–2010 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey

“…Individuals belonging to higher income groups are less likely to report dental pain and more likely to be satisfied with their oral health status than their lower socioeconomic counterparts (5). It was also observed that socioeconomic factors are considered to be a strong risk factor for school children caries (7). One study on the trends in tooth loss in Swedish women observed that women in lower social groups tended to have less remaining teeth, irrespective of age (8).…”

Oral health status of elementary-school children varied according to school they attended

“…Type of school is also a significant determinant of caries experience in Brazil. 31 School-based intervention focusing on tooth brushing and other preventive measures, however, may not be effective in preventing caries 32 except in certain controlled trials, such as dental sealant programs. 33 This study also found that girls and students at older ages were at higher risk for developing caries, which might indicate dietary habits and direct biological effects as factors contributing to caries experiences.…”