Dental caries in 12-year-old schoolchildren: multilevel analysis of individual and school environment factors in Goiânia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dental caries index among 12-year-old schoolchildren and individual and contextual factors related to the schools in the city of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 2,075 schoolchildren using the 2010 National Survey of Oral Health methodology. The dependent variable was the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and the independent variables were individual (sex, race, and maternal education) and contextual ones (type of school, health district, and the presence of oral programs). Multilevel analysis and log-linear negative binominal regression were performed, considering the complex sampling design. Mean DMFT index was 1.51. Female students, whose mothers had lower schooling, those attending public schools, located in districts with the worst socioeconomic indicators, and covered by the Family Health Strategy had higher caries levels. The dental caries index was low and associated with the schoolchildren sociodemographic characteristics and factors related to the schools, showing inequalities in distribution.

The impact of oral health literacy and family cohesion on dental caries in early adolescence

“…Students from families in the lowest socioeconomic classes (classes C, D and E) had more cavitated lesions. Previous studies have reported similar findings . A lower socioeconomic status is believed to exert a negative effect on access to dental services and efforts directed at seeking such services; this may contribute to the higher prevalence of dental caries among students with a lower socioeconomic status .…”

“…It is possible that the higher demand for public services may engender a diminished capacity to cater for the oral health needs of adolescents. Moreover, public dental services in Brazil are primarily located in areas with the worst social indicators, and schoolchildren in these areas suffer from a higher prevalence of dental caries …”

Dental caries experience and associated factors in 12-year-old-children: a population based-study

“…1,2,3 In addition, epidemiological surveys have demonstrated the impact of inequalities on the prevalence of dental caries in Brazil. 3,6,7 Although the epidemiology of dental caries has improved, factors associated with dental caries experience among 12-year-old children did not change during the period between 2003 and 2010. 6,7 Multivariate and multilevel statistical models have indeed investigated factors associated with dental caries prevalence in the 12-year-old population.…”

“…3,6,7 Although the epidemiology of dental caries has improved, factors associated with dental caries experience among 12-year-old children did not change during the period between 2003 and 2010. 6,7 Multivariate and multilevel statistical models have indeed investigated factors associated with dental caries prevalence in the 12-year-old population. 6,7,8,9 Dental caries experience in this age group has been determined worldwide as a parameter for evaluating permanent dentition, in addition to enabling the early identification of possible risk factors.…”

Dental caries in children on deciduous dentition: art and socioeconomic aspect

“…The prevalence of caries has declined, but it is more significant in the most favored populations, which have a lower CPO-D and a higher number of children without caries [1][2][3] . Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential so that the individual does not acquire caries disease.…”