Socio-behavioral factors influence prevalence and severity of dental caries in children with primary dentition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of sociobehavioral variables on the prevalence and severity of dental caries in 4-to 6-year-old children. A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 1993 children enrolled in 58 public preschools from Araçatuba City, São Paulo State, Brazil, during 2010. The exams were made using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (World Health Organization methodology) and detection criteria for non-cavitated lesions. A tested, self-administered questionnaire was sent to parents to obtain information about their socio-behavioral characteristics. Standardization was performed to verify concordance among examiners (kappa = 0.84). The prevalence of cavitated caries lesions was 41.2% (821), and the prevalence of both, cavitated and non-cavitated caries lesions, was 43.9% (875). The means ± standard deviations of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index for children aged 4, 5, and 6 years were 1.18 ± 2.45, 1.65 ± 2.67, and 1.73 ± 2.77, respectively. Caries were significantly more prevalent in children from families with low incomes and low educational levels. The presence of dental caries was associated with access to dental services (p < 0.05). The associations between both, cavitated and non-cavitated dental caries lesions, and the frequency of oral hygiene were statistically significant. The prevalence of dental caries in preschoolers was strongly associated with factors related to the children's parents. Therefore, information about parents' socio-economic status, behaviors, and attitudes in relation to oral health should be considered when planning prevention and educational programs for the oral health of preschool children.

Prevalência de cárie em bebês com fissuras labiopalatinas e sua correlação com fatores socioeconômicos e hábitos de higiene bucal

“…A prevalência de cárie dentária na dentadura decídua é significativamente maior em indivíduos com fissura labiopalatina comparados a grupos controle sem fissura (BESSELING;DUBOIS, 2004;KIRCHBERG et al, 2004;LAGES et al, 2004;CHENG et al, 2007;O'NEILL, 2007;AL-DAJANI, 2009;DALBEN et al 2009, HAZZA'A et al, 2011BRITTON;WELBURY, 2010;KING et al, 2013 (KIRCHBERG et al, 2004;CHENG et al, 2007;AL-DAJANI, 2009;HAZZA'A et al, 2011;BORGES et al, 2012). Além disto, o atendimento odontológico preventivo e terapêutico deve ser regular e implementado o mais cedo possível durante a infância para minimizar o risco de cárie (KIRCHBERG et al, 2004;LAGES et al, 2004;BESSELING;DUBOIS , 2004;CHENG et al, 2007;KING et al, 2013).…”

“…No Brasil houve queda na ocorrência de cárie dentária, com redução no índice de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados (CPOD) (BORGES et al, 2012).…”

“…Entretanto, vários outros fatores podem influenciar a ocorrência e severidade da cárie dentária, incluindo fatores sociodemográficos como etnia, renda familiar, nível educacional dos pais, crenças e hábitos de higiene bucal (PERES et al, 2005;PETTI, 2010;BORGES et al, 2012;HOOLEY et al, 2012;DUIJSTER et al, 2013).…”

“…Esses fatores devem ser considerados no planejamento preventivo e programas educacionais de saúde bucal (PERES et al, 2005;BORGES et al, 2012;HOOLEY et al, 2012 …”

“…Diversos estudos na literatura relataram associação entre a frequência diária de escovação e a ocorrência de cárie dentária (PERES et al, 2005;BORGES et al 2012;DO et al, 2015). No presente estudo, ambos os grupos apresentaram relato de escovação pelo menos duas vezes por dia, sem correlação com a ocorrência de cárie dentária.…”