Treatment Needs for Dental Caries and Restorative Care Index on the Permanent Dentition of Nicaraguan Children

Abstract

Objective:To determine the treatment needs for dental caries and the restorative care index on the permanent dentition of Nicaraguan children. Subjects and Methods:In a cross-sectional study, 1379 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years old were evaluated clinically to determine the decay, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index and to calculate the need for dental caries (TNI) and care indices (CI). Sociodemographic, socio-economic and behavioural data were collected using questionnaires. Results: The mean age was 9.04 ± 1.98 years and 50.2% were female. A relatively higher percentage of TNI was observed in the following groups: younger children (78.0%), males (60.1%), children of higher birth order (69.1%), the children of older mothers (56.7%), having a negative attitude toward oral health (59.9%), with preventive dental care in the past year (94.2%), less frequent tooth brushing (66.3%), with greater presence of plaque (53.9%), larger family (56.3%), higher socio-economic position [SEP] schooling (60.9%) and lower SEP occupation (58.9%). In addition, we observed a higher percentage of CI amongst the following: older children (52.2%), females (49.9%), those of a lower birth order (47.7%), children of young mothers (47.2%), those with a positive attitude toward oral health (48.6%), receiving preventive/curative dental care in the past year (74.3%), most frequently brushing teeth (51.9%), less presence of plaque (50.0%), small family (45.9%), lower SEP school (53.5%) and higher SEP occupation (52.9%). Conclusions:We show that Nicaraguan children have high treatment needs for dental caries but had little experience of restorative care.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Visits to the Dentist to Receive Professionally Applied Topical Fluoride in a Developing Country

“…We used data from a cross-sectional study of which other aspects related to oral health were previously published [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 23 ]. The study universe consisted of 18,574 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years from elementary schools in the city of León, Nicaragua.…”

“…In permanent dentition the prevalence is 37.9%, with a mean DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth) index of 0.98 ± 1.74 [ 8 ]. At the same time, it is observed that little more than 50% of caries lesions in the permanent dentition present treatment needs [ 9 ]. Likewise, there are differences between the different social groups, suggesting certain socioeconomic inequalities in oral health in the country.…”

Consultation for dental extraction in Nicaraguan children: an approach to oral care needs

“…Se analizaron los datos de un estudio transversal realizado en León, Nicaragua, del que han sido (15)(16)(17) publicados varios indicadores de salud bucal . Los criterios de inclusión fueron: niños aparentemente sanos de 6 a 12 años de edad; inscritos en las escuelas primarias; cuyos padres otorgaron el consentimiento informado para que sus hijos participaran en el estudio; que no tuvieran aparatología de ortodoncia; que presentaran al menos un diente permanente; y que no presentaran enfermedades que afectaran la cavidad bucal.…”

Indicators of Oral Hygiene and Preventive Dental Care as Variables Associated with the High Severity of Caries

“…A case-control study was carried out based on data from a study on oral health, from which a set of oral health indicators (10)(11)(12) have been published. The inclusion criteria were apparently healthy children from 6 to 12 years of age, who were enrolled in primary schools.…”